Maternal role attainment with medically fragile infants: Part 1. measurement and correlates during the first year of life.
The purpose of this study was to extend scholarship on maternal role attainment (MRA). We used a triangulation of behavioral and self-report variables to measure MRA-identity, presence, and competence-with mothers of medically fragile infants (n = 81), and explored characteristics that influenced MRA longitudinally. Competence and presence were best measured using both self-report and observational methods, whereas identity was best measured with a questionnaire. Mothers with less worry reported higher levels of identity. Presence was higher with less alert infants, whereas competence was higher with more alert infants, lower parental role stress, higher education, and being married. Mothers with more illness-related distress and less alert infants, and unmarried and less educated mothers may need interventions to enhance MRA.
School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Margaret Shandor
MS
Miles
Diane
D
Holditch-Davis
Margaret R
MR
Burchinal
Susan
S
Brunssen
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012107:Research Design; D012380:Role; D020377:Self Efficacy; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology