Effects of Maternal Role Practice Education on Becoming a Mother

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of education and practice of the maternal role and becoming a mother using the concepts of self-confidence in caring, maternal attachment, and maternal identity.

A non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design was used. Data was collected with the use of self-administered questionnaires from November 2007 to April, 2008. A total of 54 women at a Sanhujoriwon (postpartum care center) participated in the study. The experimental group consisted of 26 women (Nov-Dec), whereas the control group had 28 women (Feb-Apr). Education and practice on the maternal role was given individually and consisted of explanations, demonstrations and practice on breast feeding (day1 to 3), maternal attachment (day 8 to 9), bathing (day 10 to 11) and infant healthcare (day 13 to 14). The experimental group received education and practice on the maternal role while the control group received routine education only.

Data collection was done using pre and post questionnaires at admission and fourteen days later. The experimental group showed significant increases in self-confidence in caring (t=-3.31, p=.002) and maternal identity (t=-2.16, p=.036) compared to the control group.

Education and practice on the maternal role and being a mother was an effective intervention in increasing self-confidence in caring and maternal identity.