title: Stress and maternal adaptation in first-time mothers more than 35 years old.
abstract: This prospective longitudinal study assessed relationships among variables of the early transition to parenthood and maternal stress and adaptation 1 year after delivery in primiparas older than 35 years. Life change scores at 1 month were associated with greater stress at 1 year. Positive self-evaluations of parenting early in the transition to parenthood were associated with greater confidence and support in mothering at 1 year. Compared with normative data, stress scores of study participants were found to be high. The importance of addressing early perceptions of parenting with older first-time mothers was supported.
authors.affiliation: Family and Community Health Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Reece
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008423:Maternal Age; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*