Experienced and inexperienced mothers' maternal competence during infancy.

Mercer RT; Ferketich SL

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore differences between experienced (multiparous) and inexperienced (primiparous) mothers' self-reported maternal role competence during infancy. DESIGN: Exploratory. SETTING: Semistructured interviews were conducted by either the project director or a research assistant during the 24th to 34th week of pregnancy and at early postpartum, during postpartal hospitalization. During the interviews, the instruments were given to the mothers to complete at their leisure. At 1, 4, and 8 months the test booklets were mailed to mothers with stamped envelopes for their return. POPULATION: The sample included 136 multiparous and 166 primiparous mothers who were recruited into a larger study during their 24th to 34th week of pregnancy. Recruitment sites included three university-affiliated hospitals and a general obstetrical clinic. All subjects were 18 or older and fluent in English. INTERVENTIONS: Maternal competence was measured by Gibaud-Wallston and Wandersman's 17-item Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC). Self-esteem was measured by Rosenberg's 10-item scale. Sense of mastery or control was measured by a 7-item scale. Depression was measured using the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Several other instruments were utilized as well. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The hypothesis that there would be no differences in predictors of experienced and inexperienced mothers' maternal competence was rejected. At all test periods either one or two variables from pregnancy had effects on experienced mothers' competence, but no variables from pregnancy had effects on inexperienced mothers' competence. Sense of control or mastery was the major predictor for inexperienced mothers from 1 through 8 months, but entered experienced mothers' regressions at early postpartum only. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The failure to find significant differences between experienced and inexperienced mothers' maternal role competence at any of the test periods indicates that previous experience in mothering was not an advantage for these two groups with comparable demographic characteristics. However, the experienced mother's perceived competence was in caring for an infant in a more complex situation. The maternal role transition with each new infant appears to be independent of a previous maternal identity. There are three possible explanations for the lack of change in experienced mothers' maternal competence over the first 8 months. The transition to parent of a second or later child may not involve the extensive reformulation in the mother's role identity that occurs with the first child. Secondly, the PSOC scale was not sensitive enough to pick up behavioral changes in relation to the new infant. Finally, the greater challenge of mothering two or more children as opposed to one may diminish the experienced mother's perception of herself as increasing in maternal role competence. Further research is warranted to determine the effects of cognitive and social preparation during pregnancy on inexperienced mothers' later maternal competence. Further research is needed to test for differences between experienced and inexperienced mothers' maternal role competence and identity behaviors, and the impact of woman's anticipatory cognitive and social work during pregnancy. [CINAHL abstract]

Research in Nursing & Health, 1995, Vol 18, Issue 4, p333

0160-6891

Academic Journal

10.1002/nur.4770180407