Effects of a Maternal Role Adjustment Program on First-time Mothers.

Area of Science:

• Nursing interventions
• Maternal and child health
• Psychosocial adjustment

Background:

• First-time mothers face unique challenges in adapting to their new role.
• Early postpartum interventions are crucial for maternal well-being and successful role transition.
• Existing programs may not fully address the multifaceted aspects of maternal role adjustment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a maternal role adjustment program for first-time mothers.
• To assess the program's impact on maternal role adjustment, maternal identity, and postpartum depression.
• To determine the program's potential as a nursing intervention.

Main Methods:

• Quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group.
• Participants: 38 mothers in the experimental group, 35 in the control group.
• Intervention: Individualized maternal role adjustment program applied between weeks 1-2 postpartum; assessments at weeks 1, 4, and 6.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in maternal role adjustment (p=.015) and maternal identity (p=.012) in the experimental group.
• No statistically significant difference in postpartum depression between groups (p=.335).
• The program demonstrated positive effects on key aspects of maternal adaptation.

Conclusions:

• The maternal role adjustment program is an effective nursing intervention.
• The program successfully enhances maternal role adjustment and maternal identity in new mothers.
• Further research may explore program modifications to address postpartum depression.