Maternal Identity Formation in a Military Sample: A Longitudinal Perspective

Abstract

The individual growth curve perspective provided the foundation for a developmental framework of maternal identity formation and attainment in a military sample. Data from a military study of pregnancy adaptation to birth outcomes provided data for an investigation of change over time in conflict for prenatal maternal identity formation, and the impact of family adaptability, community support and military deployment on this trajectory. The individual slopes and intercepts of maternal identity formation were assessed for 421 active-duty women and wives of military servicemen in each trimester of pregnancy. Fitting of unconditional growth models indicated that significant variation in prenatal Acceptance of Pregnancy (ACCPREG) existed across time and rate of change for individuals. No evidence existed for significant change in Identification of the Motherhood Role (IDMORO). Significant variability existed in the conflict associated with IDMORO between individuals. Fitting of conditional growth models for ACCPREG and IDMORO predicted by Family Adaptability (FADAPT) and Community Support (SSI) showed that FADAPT and SSI significantly affected the conflict associated with ACCPREG and IDMORO, but not the pattern of change over time. First-trimester deployment significantly affected conflict with ACCPREG. The ability of prenatal maternal identity formation to predict six-month postpartum maternal identity attainment was assessed for 113 women from the original sample. Identification of the Motherhood Role significantly impacted postpartum satisfaction with Infant and Infant Care as well as Confidence in Motherhood Role and Tasks. Change over time in Family Adaptability and Community Support had significant affects on Confidence in Motherhood Role and Tasks.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 08, 2006
Accession Number
ADA449290

Entities

People

  • Karen L. Weis

Organizations

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Body Weight
  • Cognition
  • Data Analysis
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Families (Human)
  • Health Services
  • Human Behavior
  • Human Development
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • Military Personnel
  • Personality
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Approximation Theory.
  • Organizational Psychology.
  • Women's Health and Cancer Risk Research: African American Women and Pregnancy Outcomes.