The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors which are related to the maternal role performance of first-time mother to improve the health of infant. Specifically a basic hypothetical model was developed based on the previous study about a model of social networks.

The survey was done from January to February in 2001. Total 257 mothers who have four to twelve month old first-time baby was interviewed in five community health center around country(Seoul, Choung-ju, Asan, Cheon-an, Jeju). Finally 247 data was analyzed. Data analysis was done with LISREL 8.20 program for covariance structural analysis.

Compared to the hypothetical model, the revised model has become parsimonious and had a better fit to the data(χ²=167.55(p=.00), χ²/df=1.48, GFI=0.97, AGFI=0.95, RMR=0.049, NFI=0.98, NNFI=0.99, CN=222.53). All predictive variables of the maternal role of first-time mother explained 30% of total variance in model. Social network structural characteristics and social network interactional characteristics had significant effect on the emotional support and the information support. And social network interactional characteristics had significant effect on the service support, material support and social companionship support. The service support and social companionship support had significant effect on the maternal role strain. The emotional support and the social companionship support had significant effect on the maternal role of first-time mother.

As the conclusion of this study, there is in need of the developing the programmes focussed on the social network for the first-time mother.