THE RELATIONSHIP OF MATERNAL ROLE EXPECTATION, SURPRISE, AND VALUE ATTAINMENT TO ROLE SATISFACTION IN MIDLIFE MOTHERS OF TEENAGERS.
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 173
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to explore the mothering role as it is experienced by midlife mothers of teenagers. The mothers' expectations for the role, surprises encountered, values attained, and satisfactions in role were investigated. Mothering role was conceptualized to include midlife adult developmental tasks. Five new scales were developed to measure these variables: (1) "Before I was a mother of a teenager, I expected to...", (2) Now that I am the mother of a teenager, I am experiencing...", (3) "Myself as mother of a teenager", (4) "The ideal mother I'd like to be", and (5) a Mother Satisfaction Index (MSI). The new tools were pilot tested (N = 38) to establish initial reliabilities. The Life Satisfaction Index (LSI) of Campbell, Converse, and Rodgers (1976) was also utilized. Cronbach alphas are reported on the sample from the main study (N = 102): Before (.68), Now (.69), Myself (.86), Ideal (.82), LSI (.79), and MSI (.89).

The sample was 102 midlife mothers of teenagers, primarily white, married, well-educated, and employed, with mean age of 43. All had at least one teenager still living at home. Data were collected by questionnaire, with follow up interviews of eight mothers.

Sixty mothers reported surprises, equally distributed along a scale of positive to negative. Fourteen categories of surprises were developed by content analysis. Categories having the largest number of surprises were enjoyment of the teen, my feelings as mother, and negative behaviors of the teen. Mothers reporting only negative surprises had significantly lower levels of satisfaction in role ( p < .001) than did mothers with positive only or a mix of positive and negative surprises.

It was predicted that value attainment would be a better predictor of maternal satisfaction in role than would realistic expectations. The data supported this prediction. Value attainment and educational level were the best predictors of maternal satisfaction, with the more educated mothers reporting higher satisfaction levels.

The highest mean levels of satisfaction reported were with expression of affection with teen, intimate relationships, family's standard of living, work role, own adult development, and own achievements. Lowest levels were with housework, family savings, and spare time.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-12, Section: B, page: 4825.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1986.

School code: 0227.