Age, psychological maturity, and the transition to motherhood among English-speaking Australian women in a metropolitan area.

Abstract

In the context of the trend toward delayed parenthood, this study examines whether older maternal age is associated with greater psychological maturity and whether greater psychological maturity provides any adaptive benefit during the transition to motherhood. A sample of 240 predominantly English-speaking Australian women in a metropolitan area expecting their 1st baby (mean age = 32.81 years; 41% conceived after fertility treatment) completed measures of psychological maturity (hardiness, ego development, and ego resiliency) and pregnancy adaptation (maternal fetal attachment and formation of a maternal identity) in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and a measure of postnatal adjustment at 4-6 months postpartum. Structural equation modeling showed age was positively associated with a latent construct of psychological maturity, and psychological maturity was associated with more optimal adaptation in pregnancy and early motherhood. Both psychological maturity and pregnancy adaptation predicted positive postnatal adjustment. Age was indirectly related to adaptation through its relationship with psychological maturity. The relationships in the model applied regardless of mode of conception (fertility treatment or spontaneous). Potentially confounding contextual factors associated with older age at motherhood, higher education, and maternal and child health were included in the model. These results suggest that psychological maturity is a benefit of motherhood at older ages.

Maternal Age, Psychological Maturity, Parenting Cognitions, and Mother–Infant Interaction

“…A previous report (Camberis, McMahon, Gibson, & Boivin ) with a larger sample from which participants in the present study were drawn showed that older maternal age was associated with a latent construct of psychological maturity and that psychological maturity contributed to reports of more optimal adjustment in pregnancy and the early months of motherhood. Maturity was conceptualized as a two‐dimensional construct encompassing indices of adaptive self‐regulation, represented by hardiness (Kobasa, Maddi, & Kahn, ) and ego resiliency (Block & Block, ), and social‐cognitive maturity characterized by ego development (Loevinger, ).…”

Parenting stress and development of late preterm infants at 4 months corrected age

“…Support from extended family decreased with increasing maternal age, but older mothers communicated more with their infants than younger mothers (Bornstein et al, ). In contrast, a study of Australian women in a metropolitan area, reported that maternal psychological maturity, increased with age, and was associated with positive adaptation to parenthood in the early months (Camberis, McMahon, Gibson, & Boivin, ).…”

Associations between older maternal age, use of sanctions, and children’s socio-emotional development through 7, 11, and 15 years

“…There are, however, interesting theoretical arguments for doing statistical analyses on the effect of age on psychosocial functioning. Older maternal age may be conceived of as a proxy for personal maturity (Camberis, McMahon, Gibson, & Boivin, 2014). Personal development and growth bring a multitude of benefits including greater psychological flexibility and personality .…”