Academic literature on the topic 'First-time parent'

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2010.<br>Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 125 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 66-77).

The purpose of this study was to explore factors which are predictive of parenting stress for first-time parents. Based on attachment theory and empirical research, the factors investigated were the responsibility for child care and housework, the current and retrospective relationship with the family of origin, the change in emotions related to parenthood, the marital relationship, and attachment and individuation.

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of first-time mothers with colic infants. Based on the results, implications for clinical practice are described for the clinical psychologist with regards to providing psychological support for these mothers. The research design is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. Data was collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured, phenomenological interviews and a descriptive analysis was done. The results show that the real versus the imagined experience of having a baby does not meet mothers' expectations. Furthermore, a colic baby elicits numerous anxieties including anxiety about the baby being damaged/ill, the feeding and leaving the baby in the care of others. Mothers battle with feelings of failure, which may be compounded by a stressful labour/delivery. Multiple attempts to soothe the baby or find an effective treatment result in feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. In turn, hopelessness and depression result. Mothers also perceive others' making judgments about their ability as a mother, while anxiety about failure undermines their capacity to accept support. Furthermore, mothers require affirmation from their baby. Their continued search for a cure offers hope that understanding and control can be gained. However, conflicting information and advice leave them feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Moreover, mothers feel disillusioned with medical personnel and the profession. Both medical and psychological factors are perceived as possible causes of, or contributing factors to, colic, and mothers experience guilt that stressors during their pregnancy may have contributed to their babies' being colicky. In addition, colic is seen as a punishment for perceived wrongdoings during pregnancy. Given the above, mothers need a containing figure, a function fulfilled by some husbands. If their own mothers are unavailable to contain their anxieties, substitute figures are found. In addition, practical support is experienced as helpful. Regarding maternal grandmothers, mothers identify with them, resulting in a new understanding of them and of the mother-daughter relationship. They also draw on their mothers' perception of their childhood experiences as positive or negative role models of parenting. Mothers feel ambivalent regarding the baby. They exhibit empathy although they perceive the baby as demanding, intrinsically difficult or rejecting. Consequently, mothers experience feelings of rage, resulting in fears of losing control and harming or abandoning the baby. These negative feelings are perceived as impacting on empathy for and bonding with the baby and result in feelings of shame and guilt. A colic baby is a source of stress in the couple's relationship, resulting in strained marital relations. Lastly, mothers renegotiate their identity as women and mothers. Several psychological defence mechanisms are used as a means of resolving emotional conflict and anxiety, and maintaining self-esteem. Clinical implications include adopting parent-infant psychotherapy as a framework for providing psychological support for these mothers. The study concludes that the colic period is stressful, places strain on the marital relationship and may pose a risk to the parent-infant relationship and child development. Lastly, psychological based interventions should be included as a resource for these mothers.<br>Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Background: Expecting a child and becoming a parent is one of life’s major events, during which the parents’ perspective on life and their couple relationship changes. For some parents, childbearing entails a decrease in parental couple relationship quality. The way in which parents are able to cope with childbearing may be connected with their Sense of Coherence; which is a person’s ability to perceive life as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. For parents’ positive childbearing experiences, professional and social support have been proven to be valuable. However, far from all parents have access to social support; furthermore, professional support does not always meet the needs of expectant parents. Hence, more research is needed to increase knowledge about expectant parents’ experiences of professiona land social support. In addition, more research is needed to explore factors associated with quality of couple relationship among parents during childbearing. Aims: The overall aim of the thesis was to explore professional and social support for first-time mothers and partners during childbearing in relation toquality of couple relationship and Sense of Coherence. Methods: The study’s designs were explorative, prospective and longitudinal; both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Specifically, explorative designs, qualitative methods and phenomenographic analysis were used to explore expectant first-time mothers’ (I) and partners’ perceptions of professional support (II). Furthermore, an explorative design, qualitative method and qualitative content analysis were used to explore expectant first-time mothers’ experiences of social support (III). Within Study IV, a prospective longitudinal design, descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate factors associated with quality of couple relationship among first-time mothers and partners, during pregnancy and the first six months of parenthood. Results: The overall results of the thesis revealed both similarities and differences between expectant first-time mothers’ and partners’ perceptions of professional support, effects from social support and associated factors with perceived quality of couple relationship. The similarities were; both mothers and partners perceived that professional support could facilitate partner involvement, influence their couple relationship and facilitate contacts with other expectant parents. According to first-time mothers’ experiences, their couple relationship with their partner was also strengthened by social support during pregnancy. Further, the results showed that both first-time mothers’ and partners’ higher perceived couple relationship quality six months after birth, was associated with their higher perceived social support. The results showed also that both mothers and partners perceived their quality of couple relationship to decrease and Sense of Coherence to increase six months after childbirth, compared to the pregnancy. Differences revealed were such as: higher Sense of Coherence was only associated with mothers’ higher perceived quality of couple relationship, and first-time mothers reported perceiving more social support compared to the partners both during pregnancy, first week and six months after childbirth. Conclusions: Professional and social support can strengthen first-time mothers and partners both individually and as a couple, in their abilities to cope with childbearing. On the individual basis, the expectant parents could be strengthened through professional and social support that contributed to their understanding and feeling of being prepared for childbirth and parenting, for instance. As a couple, the parents were strengthened by professional support that included the partner’s role, as well as higher perceived social support overall. In contrast, lack of support could have a negative influence on the expectant parents’ feeling of being prepared for childbirth and parenting. Besides this, the results indicates that childbearing has a positive effect on parents’ abilities to cope with life even though their quality of couple relationship decrease. Professionals can use these results in their further understanding about how to offer satisfactory support to first-time mothers and partners during childbearing.

This study examined the effectiveness of a family counseling intervention program called the Parent Monitoring Program (PMP) on reducing the rate of recidivism with first-time juvenile offenders in New Orleans, Louisiana. The PMP is a multimodal treatment intervention that combines individual, family, and group, counseling services to juvenile offenders and their families. Pugh, Force, Rault, and Triche (2000) reported that with effective and innovative family and community based intervention programs, juvenile offenders can be deterred from further delinquent behaviors. There is a great need for research studies to examine effective interventions that address reducing the rate of recidivism with juvenile crime (Cullen & Grandeau, 2000). This study looked at the differences in recidivism rates for the treatment group, juvenile offenders who completed the PMP, versus the control groups those juvenile offenders who either did not complete the PMP, or who refused the PMP services. The participants (N=1144) were mainly African Americans of low SES who committed minor offenses from the years 2001-2003. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to find out the differences in recidivism rates between the treatment and control groups, as well as levels of offenses in terms of recidivism rates and gender differences. Results of the analyses indicated that those participants who completed the PMP had lower recidivism rates than those who did not complete or refused the PMP service. In addition, level of offenses was positively associated in terms of recidivism (p <.001). However, in terms of recidivism, there were no differences between males and females xiii ( p =.108). Faculty members in counselor education can use the findings from this study to pay attention to the problems that this special population faces. Counselors can become more aware of the importance of a multimodal approach with emphasis on family involvement and early intervention. The multi cultural issues and risk factors that surround this population are of relevance to the curriculum in counselor education programs. Future research should look at the impact that religious organizations have on juvenile delinquency in terms of recidivism rates and the important role that the community plays.

Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research indicates that human touch plays an integral role in an infant’s ability to thrive and grow, with a correlation existing between tactile stimulation and optimal physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development. The aim of this study was to explore the level of knowledge of first time mothers attending Mowbray Maternity Hospital (MMH) regarding the importance of tactile stimulation during infancy and early childhood. A descriptive, non-experimental, research design was employed, using a pilot tested structured questionnaire for data collection during face-to-face interviews conducted by the Principal Investigator. Questions were divided into four domains: knowledge about the impact of tactile stimulation on the bonding domain, the emotional domain, physical domain and the social domain of infants and children. The inclusion of one open-ended question allowed participants to suggest recommendations for improved knowledge and care. A sample of 41 participants, constituting 40% of the study population (N=101) was randomly selected from MMH. Prior ethical approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University, and operational approval from the Western Cape Department of Health, and the Research Committee and Senior Management of MMH. Written informed consent was obtained from the study participants. The quantitative data was analysed using Statistica (Version 10) with the assistance of a statistician. The qualitative data yielded from the one open-ended question was analysed thematically and then quantified. The findings show that 90% (n=37) of the participants were knowledgeable about tactile stimulation strategies, 81% (n=33) knew about the impact of tactile stimulation on the bonding domain, 75% (n=31) on the emotional domain, 52% (n=21) on the physical domain and 43% (n=18) on the social domain. Although all participants had reported for out-patient antenatal care on four and more occasions, 73% (n=30) indicated that they had improved their knowledge regarding pregnancy, labour, birth, and parenting by reading magazines, 20% (n=8) reported that a health care worker had spoken to them about the benefits of tactile stimulation, and 15% (n=6) had received literature on the benefits of tactile stimulation. The open-ended question generated several findings which included suggestions to enhance healthcare by providing information and training about tactile stimulation and perinatal matters when attending antenatal clinic; by offering assistance with infant feeding during the postnatal period; and by improving the attitude and professional stance of health care workers. The study findings suggest that first time mothers at MMH are not adequately knowledgeable about the importance of tactile stimulation during infancy and early childhood. Grounded in the empirical findings and based on the suggestions offered by the participants, several recommendations, including improved information and training, were identified toward strengthening tactile stimulation knowledge and practice at both the parental and health care provider levels.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Studies toon dat menslike aanraking ‘n belangrike rol in ‘n baba se algemene vermoëns om te groei speel, terwyl ‘n positiewe korrelasie tussen koestering en optimale fisiese, emosionele, kognitiewe en sosiale ontwikkeling bestaan. Die doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel of moeders, wat vir die eerste keer geboorte geskenk het, en geskeduleer was om by Mowbray Kraamhospitaal geboorte te skenk, ingelig was aangaande die belangrikheid van streling tydens babaskap en die vroeë kinderjare. ‘n Beskrywende, nie-eksperimentele navorsingstudie is uitgevoer, deur van ‘n gestruktureerde, onderhoudsvraelys vir die insameling van data gebruik te maak. Vrae was opverdeeld in die volgende seksies: kennis rakende die impak van babastreling op die band tussen moeder en baba, kennis rakende die impak op die emosienele dimensie, en kennis rakende die impak van babastreling op die fisiese en sosiale dimensies van babas en kinders. Die ewekansige gekose studie-groep van een-enveertig deelneemers het 40% van die studie-populasie uitgemaak. Voorafgaande etiese en operationele toestemming is vanaf die Menslike Etiese Kommittee van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Gesondheid en vanaf die Navorsings kommittee en Bestuur van Mowbray Kraamhospitaal verkry. Geskrewe toestemming is voor aanvang van die een-tot-een onderhoude vanaf die deelneners verkry. Die kwantitiewe data is met die hulp van ‘n statistikus deur die gebruik van die sagteware, Statistica (Weergawe10) geanaliseer. Die kwalitiewe data wat na aanleiding van die oop-eindigende vraag verkry is, is tematies geanaliseer en gekwantifiseer. Die resultate het getoon dat meeste 90% (n=37) van die deelnemers met die algemene praktyke van babastrelingstrategië gedurende babaskap bekend was. Die persentasie vir deelnemers se kennis rakende die impak van babastreling op die band tussen moeder en baba was 81% (n=33), en vir kennis omtrent die emosienele dimensie 75% (n=31), die impak van babastreling op die fisiese 52% (n=21) en die sosiale 43% (n=18) dimensies van babas en kinders. Alhoewel alle deelneemers vir voorgeboorte kliniek gerapporteer het, het 73% (n=30), terugvoer dat hulle hulle kennis omtrent swangerskap, geboorte en ouerskap verbreed het deur tydskrifte te lees, 20% (n=8) van die deelnemers gerapporteer het dat ‘n gesondheidswerker met hulle omtrent die voordele van babastreling gepraat het, terwyl 15% (n=6) leesmaterial rakende die voordele van babstreling ontvang het. Die oop-eindigende vraag het verskeie bevindings opgelewer met voorstelle met betrekking tot die verbetering van gesondheidsorg en opleiding, opleiding aangaande die voorgeboortelike sorg wat hulle ontvang het en aangaande perinatale aangeleenthede en stimulasie van babas deur streling. Deelneemers het ook voorgestel dat verpleegsters hulp aan moeders behoort te verleen met die voeding van hul babas in die periode na geboorte en dat gesondheidsorgwerkers hulle professionaliteit en gesindhede jeens pasiënte behoort te verbeter. Ten slotte het die uitkomste van hierdie studie aangedui dat, moeders wat vir die eerste keer geboorte geskenk het by Mowbray Kraamhospitaal, onvoldoende kennis dra oor die belangrikheid van stimulasie van hulle babas en jong kinders deur streling. Gegrond in die empiriese bevindings en gebaseer op die voorstelle van deelnemers, is verskeie aanbevelings geïdentifiseer vir die moontlike verbetering van kennis rakende streling op die ouer- en gesondheidswerkervlakke.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, and continue to breastfeed throughout the first year of life and as long after as is mutually desired. Recent survey data suggests that initiation rates of breastfeeding are high; according to the CDC, 75.0 percent of children in the U.S. have been breastfed. Although initiation rates of breastfeeding are high, breastfeeding duration rates consistent are much lower; 33.0 percent of infants were exclusively breastfed at three months, and only 13.3 percent of infants were exclusively breastfed at six months. Additionally, only 22.4 percent of infants were still breastfeeding at twelve months. Social and behavioral research has identified social support received from the infant's father to be one of the most important predictors of breastfeeding initiation and duration. Although several prior studies have identified paternal attitudes and support to be important influences of breastfeeding duration, few studies have been conducted to understand the specific forms of paternal support that are most important to mothers, and the forms of paternal support that are most predictive of breastfeeding duration. Also, to the author's knowledge, this was the first study to investigate negative forms of paternal support that may discourage breastfeeding. This mixed-methods study sought to better understand the perceived forms of positive and negative paternal support for breastfeeding amongst a cohort of first-time parent couples. A longitudinal study design was utilized, in which each parent participated in an in-depth interview at four time points: prenatally, and at one, three, and six month post-partum. At each time point, mothers and fathers also completed a quantitative survey; breastfeeding intention was assessed at the prenatal period, and information about current breastfeeding status was collected at the post-natal time points. A final sample of fourteen parent couples was recruited from Champions for Children prenatal classes, and all interviews took place between June 2013 and February 2014. The quantitative portion of this study found that at one month post-partum, mothers with higher prenatal breastfeeding intention scores were more likely to still be breastfeeding (85.7%), with the largest percentage of mothers still exclusively breastfeeding (50.0%); additionally, mothers with lower prenatal breastfeeding intention scores were more likely to be exclusively formula feeding (14.3%) (p = 0.03). In general, mothers with higher prenatal breastfeeding intention scores also identified more types of positive paternal support for breastfeeding; however, the only association found to be statistically significant was appraisal support (p=0.03). For the qualitative portion of this study, expectant mothers and fathers identified forms of paternal support that they perceived to be either positively or negatively supportive of breastfeeding. More often than any other type of positive support, mothers and fathers mentioned a father providing instrumental support as helpful to sustain breastfeeding, and at the post-natal time points, almost every mother identified help with household chores as being the support they receive most often which helps them to sustain breastfeeding. Whereas mothers mentioned instrumental support most often when asked to identify forms of paternal support for breastfeeding, after delivery mothers indicated that emotional support was truly most valuable; almost every mother identified words of encouragement and motivation as being the support they receive from their partner that is most important, and which helps to sustain breastfeeding. At the post-natal time-points very few mothers or fathers identified any forms of negative support actually received from their partner; mothers and fathers instead elaborated on examples of support that they perceived as negative for a mother to receive from her partner including failure to provide positive support, indifference to infant feeding method, a negative attitude towards breastfeeding or preference for formula, and negative or discouraging comments. At the post-natal time points, the majority of mothers perceived a father being verbally negative about breastfeeding as the worst form of negative support for breastfeeding. This study primarily used qualitative methods to gather rich, in-depth personal accounts of first-time mothers' and first-time fathers' perceptions of paternal support for breastfeeding. This provided valuable insight and allowed for an emic perspective of the participants' personal experiences which led to a more in-depth understanding of the specific forms of paternal support most important to mothers. Unlike previous studies conducted to better understand paternal support for breastfeeding, this study utilized a longitudinal design which allowed for the collection of data at four time points, both pre- and post-natal. A longitudinal design strengthened this study as perceived forms of paternal support were compared at different time points, and shifts in perceptions over time amongst mothers and fathers were captured. This study contributes new knowledge to the field of breastfeeding promotion regarding the specific forms of paternal support that mothers and fathers perceive as positive or negative of breastfeeding. It is imperative to improve our understanding of the precise forms of paternal support which are most positively associated with breastfeeding exclusivity and duration, so that future efforts to increase positive paternal support and decrease negative paternal support are most effective. The findings of this study can be used to help engage fathers in the breastfeeding process, including educating them on the specific ways that they can offer meaningful support to their breastfeeding partner.

<p>Syftet med denna uppsats var att undersöka hur deltagare upplever en föräldragrupps innehåll och utförande på ett familjecentrum. Studien genomfördes med en kvalitativ ansats, där åtta föräldrar intervjuades. Datamaterial bearbetades och analyserades med hjälp av en kvalitativ manifest innehållsanalys, och studiens teoretiska tolkningsram utgjordes av ett systemteoretiskt perspektiv, Putnams och Bourdieus teori om socialt kapital samt Eriksons psykosociala utvecklingsteori. Betydelsefulla resultat var att föräldragruppen upplevdes som viktig, framför allt för att etablera nya sociala kontakter, uppleva trygghet och stöd från andra nyblivna föräldrar. Det var även viktigt med en ledare med social kompetens, där lyhördhet och flexibilitet var några betydelsefulla egenskaper. Det framkom också att den information som gavs inte var mest väsentlig, utan att den sociala interaktionen mellan föräldrarna var främsta anledning till deltagandet. Att bli förälder var även något som resultatet visade vara påfrestande för både individ och parrelation.</p><br><p>The purpose of this study was to examine how participants experience the content and design, in a parent group. The study was conducted with a qualitative approach, in which eight parents were interviewed. Data material has been processed and analyzed with a qualitative manifest content analysis, and the study's theoretical framework consider primarily the perspective of systems, Putnam's and Bourdieu's theory of social capital and Erikson's psychosocial development theory. Significant results were that the parent group was perceived as important, especially to establish new social contacts, experience and safeness reliance from another first-time parent. It was also important to have a leader with social competence, where sensitivity and flexibility were significant quality. It also emerged that the information that was provided was not the most significant, instead the interaction between the parents was the main reason for participation. The results also show that becoming a parent was a draining process both to themselves and their relationship</p><p>.</p>