Maternal role attainment theory
Maternal role attainment theory, developed by Ramona T. Mercer, explores the process of becoming a mother through a series of four distinct stages. The first stage, known as commitment, attachment, and preparation, involves the mother's anticipation of motherhood, where she begins to understand the social expectations and prepares for the changes that lie ahead. In the second stage, acquaintance, learning, and physical restoration, the mother has her first encounter with her child, adapting to her new responsibilities and forming initial bonds. The third stage, moving towards a new normal, sees the mother gaining confidence in her parenting abilities and establishing her identity as a caregiver. Finally, in the achievement of maternal identity stage, the mother fully embraces her new role, feeling accomplished and confident in her motherhood journey.
Mercer's theory emphasizes that progression through these stages is influenced by various factors, including the birth experience, social support, and individual self-perception, allowing for a diverse range of experiences among mothers. The theory highlights the essential bond between mother and child, which is critical for the child's development and sense of identity. Understanding this theory can be valuable for healthcare professionals, particularly those working in maternal care, as it provides insight into the psychological and emotional transition into motherhood.
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Maternal role attainment theory
Maternal role attainment theory is a theory of motherhood development developed by Ramona T. Mercer. As a nurse, Mercer specialized in maternal care. She developed and modified the maternal role attainment theory over the course of her career.
The maternal role attainment theory can be broken down into four stages of maternal development. In the first stage, the mother anticipates becoming a mother. She takes time to come to terms with the changes her life will undergo and imagines her future child. In the second stage, the mother has her first contact with her child and begins to adapt to motherhood. In the third stage, the mother begins to gain confidence in her abilities as a parent. In the fourth stage, the mother becomes a confident, competent caretaker for her child.
Background
Ramona T. Mercer was born Ramona Theime on October 4, 1929. She earned a nursing diploma from St. Margaret's School of Nursing in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1950. She then worked as a staff nurse before being promoted to head nurse. Mercer also acted as an instructor in communicable disease nursing, maternal nursing, and pediatric nursing.
Mercer began attending the University of New Mexico in 1960. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing in 1962. Mercer then attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, earning a master's degree in maternal-child nursing. Afterward, she began teaching nursing at Emory University.
While taking a cruise, Mercer met Lewis P. Mercer. The two quickly began dating and married on December 31, 1971. Soon afterwards, Mercer began pursuing her doctorate degree at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated with her doctorate in 1973. Following her graduation, she accepted a teaching position at the University of California, San Francisco.
Mercer continued to teach nursing while researching and writing about her field. She was granted the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of New Mexico, College of Nursing, and she was named a living legend by the American Academy of Nursing. Mercer is also a professor emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco.
Overview
Many experts believe that a strong mother-child relationship is a critical part of a healthy child's developmental process. Studies show that attachment between a mother and a child helps the child develop a strong sense of identity, mastery, and self-worth. Understanding this process and how best to interact with it is critical for any nurse.
Mercer's maternal role attainment theory states that motherhood is a gradual process of bonding between a mother and a child. It consists of four steps. The first step is called commitment, attachment, and preparation. In early versions of Mercer's theory, it was called the anticipatory stage. This stage happens before the baby is born. During the commitment, attachment, and preparation stage, the mother begins to come to terms with the idea of motherhood. She experiences the social expectations of motherhood, plans for the changes associated with motherhood, and, in some situations, begins prenatal care for her child. In this stage, the mother also often prepares for the birth itself, including arranging care for both herself and her child during that event.
The second stage of maternal role attainment theory is called the acquaintance, learning, and physical restoration stage. In earlier versions of the theory, it was called the formal stage. This stage begins when the mother first encounters her child. In many cases, this happens during the birth of the child. However, it can also occur when a new child is brought into a home environment through adoption or other circumstances. In this stage, the mother begins to adapt to motherhood and bond with her child. She takes on her parental responsibilities and reacts to any familial or social norms applicable to mothers.
The third stage is called moving towards a new normal. In previous versions, it was called the informal stage. In this stage, the anxiety of early motherhood slowly begins to fade. The mother becomes more confident and comfortable in her decision-making regarding both childcare and motherhood in general. As this stage develops, the new mother forms a new personal identity as a mother.
The final stage of the theory is the achievement of maternal identity. In previous versions, it was called the personal stage. In this stage, the mother has fully acclimated to her new role and obligations. She has learned a great deal about motherhood and has integrated that knowledge with her personal experiences. At this stage, the mother feels accomplished and confident in her role as a mother.
According to Mercer, these stages must progress in this specific order. However, individual mothers progress through the stages at their own pace. Some mothers take longer to progress through the stages of motherhood than others do. This pace can also be heavily influenced by numerous external factors.
Mercer's theory also contends that a mother's birth experience has a strong influence on the pace at which she progresses through the stages in maternal role attainment. A positive birth experience strengthens a mother's bond with her child, while a negative birth experience can cause new mothers to feel inadequacy, disappointment, or guilt. The mother's sense of self—including her perception of herself as a mother, her self-esteem, and her personal body image—may speed or slow her progression through the various stages. Finally, social factors such as support, guidance, and access to parenting information can affect how a new mother progresses through the stages of maternal role attainment.
Bibliography
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Mercer, Ramona T. "Becoming a Mother versus Maternal Role Attainment." Journal of Nursing Scholarship, vol. 36, no. 3, Sept. 2004, pp. 226–32.
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