Ramona Mercer Flashcards
Focused on the behaviors and needs of breastfeeding mothers, mothers with postpartum illness,
mothers of infants born with defects and teenage mothers
Maternal Role Attainment Theory
Motherhood does not only mean giving birth, but is a dynamic process fostering emotional attachment
to the infant and adapting to the caregiving role
Maternal Role Attainment Theory
Defined as having an internalized view of the self as a mother
Maternal Identity
how a woman views her own performance and experience during labor and childbirth
Perception of Birth Experience
The behaviors and expectations that are associated with being a mother
Maternal Role
Chronological and developmental
Maternal Age
individual’s perception of how others view them, along with their self- acceptance of that
perception
Self Esteem
individual’s perception of how others view them, along with their selfacceptance of that perception
Self Concept (Self Regard)
roles are not strictly defined and it doesn’t matter who fulfills them, as long as the roles are
effectively carried out
Flexibility
these are material attitudes or beliefs about childrearing
Childrearing Attitudes
illness causing maternal infant separation, interfering with the attachment process
Infant’s Health Status
“the amount of help actually received, satisfaction with that help, and the persons providing
that help”
social support
4 Areas of support
Emotional Support
Informational Support
Physical Support
Appraisal Support
Feeling loved, cared for, understood
Emotional Support
helps individual by providing information that is useful in dealing with the situation”
Informational Support
A direct kind of support
Physical Support
“tells the role taker how she is performing the role; it enables the individual to evaluate herself in relationship to others”
Appraisal Support
includes infant temperament, appearance and health status
Infant Characteristics
infant behaviors that elicit a response from the mother
Infant Cues
The mother’s and father’s perception of their prior health, current health, health outlook
Health Status
the susceptibility to illness, health worry concern, sickness orientation and rejection of the sick
role”
Resistance
a trait where an individual is more likely to perceive stressful situations as dangerous or threatening
anxiety
“Having a group of depressive symptoms, and in particular, the affective component of the
depressed mood”
Depression
the conflict and challenges a woman experience in trying to meet the demands and fulfilling the maternal role obligation
Role Strain
the satisfaction, enjoyment, reward, or pleasure that a woman experiences in interacting with
her infant”
Gratification
Overlap and alter as the infant grows and develops
Role of Acquisition
begins during pregnancy as the mother adjusts socially and psychologically, learns role expectations, fantasizes and engages in role play with the fetus
Anticipatory Stage
starts after birth, where the mother learns and performs her role based on societal
expectations and guidance from her social network
Formal Stage
the mother adapts her role to fit her lifestyle, drawing from personal experiences and future aspirations
Informal Stage
the mother internalizes her role, achieving harmony, confidence, and competence in her maternal identity
Personal Stage
Founder of Maternal Role Attainment Theory
Ramona Mercer
