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The Process of Maternal Role Attainment over the First Year
Abstract
A study of the process of maternal role attainment in three age groups (15 to 19 years, 20 to 29 years, and 30 to 42 years) over the first year of motherhood found that the role attainment behaviors of feelings of love for the baby, gratification in the maternal role, observed maternal behavior, and self-reported ways of handling irritating child behaviors did not show a positive linear increase over the year. Behaviors peaked at 4 months postbirth, but declined at 8 months. Interview data suggested that the challenges of the infant's developmental behaviors at 8 and 12 months contributed to feelings of role incompetency. Although age groups functioned at different levels, their patterns of behaviors over the year did not vary, except for gratification in the role, indicating that the maternal role presented similar challenges for all women. There were no significant differences by maternal age in role strain or self-image as a mother over the year.
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In the citing paper
“parents typically find themselves highly motivated to take care of their infants’ needs and also find the interactions with infants rewarding (2,3).”
From Neuroendocrinology of Parental Response to Baby‐Cry (2011) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“Indeed, negative feelings about parenting may be linked to the parents’ difficulties in developing emotional bonds with their infants (Mercer, 1985; Nystrom and Ohrling, 2004) although the nature and direction of this link needs clarification.”
From Approaching the biology of human parental attachment: Brain imaging, oxytocin and coordinated assessments of mothers and fathers (2014) · cites this paper as Mercer, 1985
In the citing paper
“These positive interactions further help mothers to strengthen their attachment and heighten the experience of positive feelings toward their infants (Mercer, 1985).”
From Approaching the biology of human parental attachment: Brain imaging, oxytocin and coordinated assessments of mothers and fathers (2014) · cites this paper as Mercer, 1985
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Cadman, L. E. (2009) · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · doi:10.14288/1.0086898
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“…mother, breastfeeding, maternal role achievement, qualitative descriptive study Ⅰ．は じ め に 近年周産期医療の進歩により，早産児の多くが救命 され，超低出生体重児として出生した児が順調に成 長し，退院していくことも珍しいことではない。一 方，現在社会的に問題となっている両親の子どもへの 虐待のリスクが高い対象として，低出生体重児で出生 した子どもがあげられる。このような社会的背景の 中，周産期医療におけるケアの質の向上，それぞれ の対象に合わせた個別性の高いケアが求められている。…”
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Achieving sufficient milk supply supports mothers to cope with premature birth
Schwab, I., Wullenkord, R., Ohnhäuser, T., Dresbach, T., & Scholten, N. (2024) · Acta Paediatrica · doi:10.1111/apa.17320
“11,12 Consequently, many mothers experience various negative emotions, including anxiety, sadness or guilt regarding the premature birth of their infant.”
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He, S., Chen, Y., & Li, Y. (2025) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.02.002 · Cited by 3
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Introduction: From Pregnancy to Resolution from Postnatal Depression
Westall, C., & Liamputtong, P. (2011) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-1694-0_1
A Quantitative Study of The Relationship Between Maternal Functioning and Religiosity
Yıldız, S., & Aydin, A. R. (2025) · DergiPark (Istanbul University)
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Method of Infant Feeding as a Predictor of Maternal Responsiveness
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“Mercer defines maternal role attainment as “the process in which the mother achieves competence in the role and integrates mothering behaviors into an established role set, so that she is comfortable with her identity as a mother” (Mercer, 1985, p. 198).”
Background
Metadata
- Authors
- MERCER, R. T.
- Affiliations
- University of California, San Francisco (US)
- Corresponding author
- MERCER, RAMONA T.
- Venue
- Nursing Research
- Published
- 1985-07
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 198???203
- ISSN
- 0029-6562 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2029812512
- Cited by
- 258
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 3.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Nursing Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- U.S. Public Health Service (MC-R-060435)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Keywords
- maternal role attainment, maternal age, maternal behavior, infant irritability
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Child Behavior, Female, Humans, Infant, Maternal Age, Maternal Behavior, Middle Aged, Mother-Child Relations, Mothers, Role, Self Concept, Time Factors, Pregnancy, High-Risk
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