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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Student midwife support circles: do they influence emotional wellbeing and a sense of belonging to the midwifery profession?
Midwifery, Vol.148, pp.1-9
2025
Appears in UniSC Supported Open Access Outputs
Abstract
Background
Student midwives experience a variety of stressors; in particular, those who attend traumatic events or witness systemic violence and bullying are at risk of developing psychological distress, and a reduced sense of belonging to the midwifery profession. Support circles have been identified as a potential intervention to address these stressors, however, there are limited studies in this area.
Objective
The aim of this study was to examine the impact of facilitated peer support circles on student midwives' emotional wellbeing and their sense of belonging to the midwifery profession.
Methods
A mixed-method research design comprised of a cross-sectional survey and individual interviews was used. Participants were drawn from past and current student midwives from one regional Australian university.
Results
Thirty-one participants (N = 31) responded to the survey. Participants who attended at least one support circle (n = 22) reported increased emotional wellbeing, reduced placement stress and increased sense of belonging. There was a correlation between attendance at support circles and increased compassion satisfaction (positive measure of helping behaviour and satisfaction with the care they provide) as well as a correlation between circle attendance, expectations of midwifery, likelihood of working in midwifery in 10 years, and sense of belonging. Three participants (N = 3) were interviewed. Participants reported that support circles enabled them to discuss academic concerns as well as personal and distressing clinical experiences and that peer support and the development of social connections with other student midwives from across various year levels was highly valued.
Conclusion
Student circles provide support and are a valuable co-curricular activity promoting emotional wellbeing and a sense of professional belonging.
Details
- Title
- Student midwife support circles: do they influence emotional wellbeing and a sense of belonging to the midwifery profession?
- Authors
- Jessie Johnson-Cash (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - MidwiferyTerri Downer (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - MidwiferyPrudence Millear (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Healthy Ageing Research ClusterJackie Holt (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - MidwiferyLeanne Francia (Author) - Griffith University
- Publication details
- Midwifery, Vol.148, pp.1-9
- Publisher
- Churchill Livingstone
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.midw.2025.104536
- ISSN
- 1532-3099; 0266-6138
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Grant note
- This project was internally funded by the University of the Sunshine Coast (SPARK grant).
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Midwifery
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991144338802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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