Nursing research
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Stability and change in maternal identity and maternal role attainment were examined in 64 medically normal, middle-class primiparous and 58 multiparous women. Using two semantic differential scales, "Myself as Mother" and "My Baby", for maternal identity and the Pharis (1978) Self-Confidence Scale for role attainment, subjects were tested at 1 to 3 days and 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. Main effects for parity and testing occasions were found for both semantic differential scales. ⋯ Although attitudes and self-confidence were stable across testing occasions, self-confidence was less related to indicators of maternal identity for multiparas than for primiparas. Sociodemographic variables demonstrated only low correlations with indicators of maternal identity and role attainment. Testing the relationship of maternal identity and role attainment to actual parenting behaviors is needed to determine the empirical and practical import of these two concepts in nursing practice.