mercer s theory 001

7/27/2019 Mercer s Theory 001

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RAMONA MERCERS THEORY OF

MATERNAL ROLE ATTAINMENT


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Provide appropriate health care

intervention for nontraditionalmothers

Assist nontraditional mothers to

attain a strong maternal identity


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MATERNAL ROLE ATTAINMENT

Primary Concept developmental andinteractional process occurs over a period oftime

Mother bonds with infant, acquirescompetence in care taking tasks, enjoys andexpresses joy and pleasure in the role

Maternal identity personal state of harmony,confidence and competence. End point ofmaternal role attainment


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4 STAGES OF ACQUISITION

1. Anticipatory: Social and

psychological adaptation to role;

learning expectations

Fantasizes about the role. What

to expect when you areexpecting?


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2. Formal: Assumption of role at

birth; behaviors are guided by

others in social system/network.My mother always told me


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3. Informal: Mother develops

own ways of mothering; not

conveyed by social system.


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4. Personal: Joy of motherhood;

harmony, confidence, andcompetence in maternal role.

Im ready to have anotherone.


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Rubins Theory of Maternal Role

Attainment

From onset to its destination,

childbearing requires an

exchange of a known self in aknown world for an unknown self

in an unknown world.Reva Rubin


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Development of Maternal Identity

-The achievement of a firm concept oridentity of oneself as a mother, in thesense that she is comfortable in therole, occurs considerably later than the

birth of the child

-Maternal identity developmentis thewomans efforts aimed at becoming a

mother


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The Process of Maternal Role Taking

1. Mimicry

- woman searches the

environment and her memory forother people who are or havebeen in the role she is working toattain, and then examines theirbehavior and imitates them


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2. Role play

- acting out what a person in

the sought role actually does

in particular situations.

- the earliest form of role

behavior


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3. Fantasy

- involves cognitively trying

varieties of possible rolesituations

- occurs by way of fears,dreams, and daydreams


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4. . Introjection-projection-

rejection/acceptance (IPR/A)

takes in the behavior of others(introjection), and examines if it fitsher own role expectations; imagines

herself performing in that way(projection) and makes a judgmentabout the behavior. If the fit is good,

the behavior is accepted.


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5. Grief work

- giving up elements of

the former self which

would be in conflict with

the new role


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Maternal Tasks

1. Seeking safe passage for self and

baby

- first trimester - pregnancy care;

second trimester - for baby care;

third trimester - for deliverycare.


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2. Securing acceptance

- condition necessary to produce

and sustain the energy for all the

other tasks - reworking of psychologic, social

and physical space within the family

to make a place for the coming child


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3. Learning to give of self

- inherent and pervasive part

of being a mother, during both

childbearing or childrearing

- give to the child voluntarily on a

day-to-day basis in order for thechild to survive


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4. Binding-in to the unknown baby

- dynamic process ofattachment and interconnection

with the infant that begins in theprenatal period.

- has two halves: binding-in tothe infant and binding-in to selfas mother of the infant


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BEHAVIORS EXPECTANT MOTHERS

GRIEF

NARCISSISM

INTROVERSION vs. EXTROVERSION

BODY IMAGE AND BOUNDARY

STRESS

AMBIVALENCE

FEAR AND ANXIETY

UNCERTAINTY


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NEEDS OF EXPECTANT MOTHERS

Refer to slides on prenatal care


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MOTHERING ROLE

1. WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HUSBAND

2. QUEEN OF THE HOME

3. NURTURER

4. COUNSELOR5. MOLDER OF CHARACTER

6. EDUCATOR

7. TRAINER

8. NURSE

9. ROLE MODEL


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FATHERING ROLE

HOUSEBAND HEAD OF FAMILY FIRM

SPIRITUAL LEADER (PRIEST)

TRAINER

SUPPORTER COUNSELOR

LAWMAKER

ROLE-MODEL

PROVIDER PROTECTOR

COMPANION TO WIFE AND CHILDREN

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