Transition of Maternal Competency of Married and Single Mothers in Early Parenthood

Abstract

Women who perceive maternal competency in early parenthood feel comfortable with infant care. A convenience sample of 58 married, first-time mothers and 22 single, first-time mothers was surveyed at six to eight weeks after childbirth to determine the differences in maternal competence perception between married and single mothers. Findings in this pilot study reveal that single mothers significantly reported less comfort in the maternal role as compared to married mothers. Implications for practice, research, and education are discussed.Journal of Perinatal Education, 13(4), 3e9; maternal competence, single mothers, postpartum, maternal role attainment. DOI: 10.1624/105812404X6171Women who have a positive sense of their own maternal competency in early parenthood feel more comfortable with performing infant skills and interpreting their infant's cues. Perceived maternal competency has been shown to facilitate maternal role attainment (Mercer, 1985) and to promote positive infant nurturing and development (Mercer, 1985(Mercer, , 1995. PromotingWomen who have a positive sense of their own maternal competency in early parenthood feel more comfortable with performing infant skills and interpreting their infant's cues.

Expatriate Japanese women's growth and transformation through childbirth in Hawaii, USA

“…This finding supported the positive consequences of the transition to motherhood that were reported by a number of authors (Lundgren and Wahlberg, 1999; Meleis et al. , 2000; Liamputtong and Naksook, 2003; Copeland and Harbaugh, 2004; Nystrom and Ohrling, 2004; Fontenot, 2007).…”

Predictors of Early Parenting Self-efficacy

“…In contrast, Copeland and Harbaugh (2004) found perceived parenting competence to be lower in single mothers. In contrast, Copeland and Harbaugh (2004) found perceived parenting competence to be lower in single mothers.…”

Maternal perceptions of the infant: Relationship to maternal self‐efficacy during the first six weeks' postpartum

“…This developing sense of maternal self‐efficacy (MSE) provides a protective effect against postpartum symptomatology and mediates the relationship between social support and postpartum depression (Cutrona & Troutman, 1986; Haslam, Pakenham & Smith, 2006). Low self‐efficacy reported by mothers is an important risk indicator for various postpartum conditions including depression, overall dissatisfaction with the childbirth experience, and low levels of parenting satisfaction (Copeland & Harbaugh, 2004; Salonen et al, 2009).…”