RECOGNITION OF MATERNAL IDENTITY IN PRETERM AND FULLTERM MOTHERS.
Contributors: University of Pittsburgh.
Published: 1992
Number of pages: 266
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this exploratory and descriptive study was to investigate the maternal role attainment process of the preterm mother by comparing the end-point of the process, maternal identity, in preterm and fullterm mothers. Forty-two first-time mothers, a convenience sample of 21 preterm mothers and a matched sample of 21 fullterm mothers, were interviewed once at approximately one year post-birth.

Qualitative and quantitative phenomena were examined. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interview. Quantitative data were collected with six instruments which described the sample and measured the maternal role attainment variables of maternal affective perception of the infant, maternal role competence, and maternal role satisfaction.

A content analysis of the maternal identity recognition event revealed eight commonly discussed themes. Mothers discussed situations which involved role partner contact/interaction, role qualities, role actions, role expectations, role acknowledgment, self continuity, role readiness, and role change. Preterm mothers most often discussed situations involving role partner contact/interaction. Fullterm mothers most often discussed situations involving role qualities.

Analysis of the quantitative data revealed no statistically significant relationships between length of gestation and any of the maternal role attainment variables. There was also no difference between preterm and fullterm mothers as to the mean timing of the recognition of maternal identity. However, a 10-week difference in the median timing of maternal identity recognition was found. Sixty-two percent of the fullterm mothers recognized a maternal identity by 2 weeks after delivery, whereas only 24% of the preterm mothers experienced maternal identity recognition within this time frame. A statistically significant relationship was found between the timing of maternal identity recognition and maternal affective perception of the infant. The more positive the maternal affective perception of the infant, the earlier was the timing of maternal identity recognition.

The study concluded that preterm mothers experienced a maternal role attainment process similar to fullterm mothers except that identity recognition was relatively delayed. The themes described by the preterm mothers tended to be qualitatively different and focused on denied maternal role experiences, especially denied contact with the infants and denied rights in relation to the infants.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-09, Section: B, page: 4595.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, 1992.

School code: 0178.