title: Managing motherhood: strategies used by new mothers to maintain perceptions of wellness.
abstract: The first year or so of motherhood can represent a transitional lifestyle change; however, experiences are not well understood from the mother's own perspective. In a series of interviews, nine mothers related their beliefs and ideas about strategies utilized to maintain a perceived sense of wellness. The mothers used three main strategies: (a) obtaining help, (b) having a plan, and (c) taking time-out. Discovery of a successful strategy lead to a mother feeling greater confidence in the efficacy of her selected method, calmer, and in greater control. In order to achieve a true sense of increasing control over her own health, however, it is recommended a mother prioritize strategies to meet her own personal needs in addition to meeting the needs of others.
authors.affiliation: Department of Education, University of Technology, Sydney, Kuring-gai Campus, LMB 123, Lindfield, NSW 2007, Australia. Janet.Currie@uts.edu.au
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Currie
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008019:Life Style; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009517:New South Wales; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010934:Planning Techniques; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D017748:Time Management