"It's Hard Being a Mama": Validation of the Maternal Distress Concept In Becoming a Mother

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2019

School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Abstract

New mothers actively adapt to new demands and challenges in the mothering role but some may find this adjustment difficult and distressing, depending on their perceptions and resources. Previous research on maternal distress is primarily concentrated on needs of mothers with depression but nonpathological approaches of viewing difficulties in early parenting should be explored. A secondary analysis of a descriptive, qualitative study was completed on new, low-income mothers in early parenthood to determine how maternal distress influences mothers' transition to becoming a mother and to validate the use of the Maternal Distress Concept in the clinical setting. Findings reveal new mothers experience maternal distress on various levels: stress, adaptation, functioning, and connecting. Implications for practice and education are discussed.

Publication Title

Journal of Perinatal Education

Volume

28

Issue

1

First Page

28

Last Page

42

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