Perceptions, informational needs, and feelings of competency of new parents.

In the transition to parenthood, parents need information about a life situation that is new to them. Hospital nurses have general information but little time to individualize instruction. Additionally new mothers receive support from many individuals who provide varied and sometimes inaccurate information that often leads to confusion and frustration. Using the theoretical frameworks of Kaplan (1973) and King (1981), the study investigates factors that facilitate meeting learning needs of new mothers. Eighty-nine expectant mothers were recruited from childbirth classes for this longitudinal quasi-experimental study. The mothers were randomly placed within one of three groups. One experimental group received telephone calls from the nurse researcher within the first week postpartum. Another experimental group was given a list of likely topics about their new babies, a pager number, and they received a telephone call at about two weeks postpartum. The control group received only a telephone call at about two weeks postpartum. Mothers provided information about resources used, topics sought, and frustrations that arose during information-seeking experiences. Analyses indicated that when childcare difficulties arose, mothers often sought information on topics that were presented in childbirth classes. Results also indicated no difference in treatment groups related to feelings of maternal competency. Analysis of the telephone topics of conversations showed that for mothers who had problems, especially with feeding or infant care, there were decreased feelings of maternal competency. The results supported King's theoretical postulates in which the nurse and mother discussed concerns in order to develop ways of problem-solving, thus working together towards the mutual health goal of increasing maternal confidence. Consistent with Kaplan's theory, uncertainty, mismatch, and presenting information at a time when the recipient was not ready for it, all created problems that undermined feelings of competency. Modifying the teaching of childcare in the birthing classes and using repetition of information during hospitalization could facilitate retention and availability of accurate information. A nurturing, informative nurse-initiated telephone call or home visit would assist mothers in problem solving and increasing their feelings of competency.PhDHealth and Environmental SciencesNursingUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/124046/2/3001050.pd