Journal List > Korean J Women Health Nurs > v.24(3) > 1101257

Kim and Seo: Effects of a Maternal Role Adjustment Program on First-time Mothers

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the effect of a maternal role adjustment program on first-time mothers.

Methods

The research was quasi-experimental with a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. Participants were first-time mothers admitted to two postpartum clinics at women's hospitals. The experimental group had 38 mothers and the control group had 35 mothers. A maternal role adjustment program was applied individually to the experimental group between the 1st and 2nd weeks after childbirth. Assessing Adaptation to Motherhood, Semantic Differential Scale-Myself as Mother, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used to measure effects of the program. A pre-test was conducted in the 1st week after childbirth while post-tests were conducted in the 4th and 6th weeks. Data were analyzed with χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS 24.0.

Results

Maternal role adjustment (F=6.17, p=.015) and maternal identity (F=6.63, p=.012) were significantly increased in the experimental group compared to those in the control group. However, the difference in postpartum depression (F=1.11, p=.335) was not statistically significant between the two groups.

Conclusion

The maternal role adjustment program can be utilized as an effective nursing intervention program to enhance maternal role adjustment and maternal identity for first-time mothers.

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Maternal Role Adjustment Program for First-Time Mothers

kjwhn-24-322-i001
Table 2

Homogeneity Test for Subjects' Characteristics (N=73)

kjwhn-24-322-i002

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group; Fisher's exact test.

Table 3

Homogeneity Test for Dependent Variables (N=73)

kjwhn-24-322-i003

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Table 4

Effects of Maternal Role Adjustment Program on Maternal Role Adjustment, Maternal Identity, and Postpartum Depression (N=73)

kjwhn-24-322-i004

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Notes

This article is a condensed form of the first author's master's thesis from Pusan National University.

Conflict of Interest The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Summary Statement

▪ What is already known about this topic?
Achieving maternal attachment and maternal identity and developing a sense of well-being are regarded as critical components of maternal adjustment for first-time mothers.
▪ What this paper adds?
The maternal role adjustment program is effective for enhancing maternal role adjustment and maternal identity of first-time mothers.
▪ Implications for practice, education and/or policy
The maternal role adjustment program provided at postpartum clinics of women's hospitals is a nursing intervention that can enhance maternal role adjustment and maternal identity of first-time mothers.

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TOOLS
ORCID iDs

Su Jeong Kim
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4870-3894

Ji Min Seo
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1182-0800

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