THE TRANSITION FROM MOTHER‐OF‐ONE TO MOTHER‐OF‐TWO: MOTHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR FIRSTBORN CHILDREN. Issue 4 (15th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chapman, Jennifer K.; Hart, Sybil L.
• Is Part Of: Infant mental health journal. Volume 38:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 475
• Page End: 485
• Publication Date: 2017-06-15
• Subjects: second‐time motherhood -- expectant mother -- maternal role identity -- parenting self‐efficacy -- sibling birth -- maternidad por segunda vez -- madre embarazada -- identidad del rol de la madre -- autoeficacia de la crianza -- nacimiento de un hermano -- deuxième maternité -- mère enceinte -- identité du rôle maternel -- auto‐efficacité de parentage -- naissance d'un frère ou d'une sœur -- zweite Mutterschaft -- Schwangere -- mütterliche Rollenidentität -- Erziehungs‐Selbstwirksamkeit -- Geburt des Geschwisters -- 2回目に母親になること -- 妊婦 -- 母親役割アイデンティティ -- 育児の自己効力感 -- きょうだいの誕生 -- 第二次作為母親 -- 準媽媽 -- 母親角色身份 -- 育兒自我效能 -- 兄弟姐妹出生; Infant psychiatry -- Periodicals; Infant psychology -- Periodicals; 618.9289
• DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21650
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-9641

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This qualitative study aimed to explore mothers' perceptions of the transition to second‐time motherhood, and advance methodology for supporting mothers during this transition. Fifty‐seven pregnant mothers and their firstborn children ( M age = 30.3 months) participated in a laboratory procedure in which the mother exposed her child to a brief episode of differential treatment. The episode was designed to simulate an expected experience of caregiving that would occur after the birth of a second child. During a postnatal visit ( M= 5.72 weeks following childbirth), mothers provided written feedback on their perceptions of the transition and the contribution of the laboratory experience to that transition. Qualitative content analysis revealed that mothers approached the birth of a second child with apprehension. Intrapersonal themes revealed that participation in the procedure shaped mothers' understanding of their expanded maternal roles by enhancing their sense of preparedness and confidence in their abilities to support their children. Interpersonal themes revealed that participation helped mothers appreciate the magnitude of the challenge that their children would face and gave mothers reason to believe that their children would adjust successfully. Findings are discussed in terms of their potential contribution toward developing methodology for helping mothers prepare for the addition of a second child.