Abstract

This study examined the current status of mothers' participation in the internet community and the relation of participation to maternal perceptions of social support and parenting efficacy. Participants were 386 mothers with young children. Half of them participated in internet communities, and the other half did not. Results showed that mothers' participation in internet communities is currently increasing in terms of quality and quantity of participation. The perceived level of social support and parenting efficacy were higher for participating mothers than for non-participating mothers. Among participating mothers, those with a higher level of participation had a higher level of perceived social support and of parenting efficacy than mothers with a lower level of participation.

Keywords

• mothers' internet participation;
• social support;
• parenting efficacy

• 어머니의 인터넷 참여;
• 사회적 지원;
• 양육효능감;