Anxiety, Self-esteem, And Role Satisfaction In Mothers Of 20 To 28 Month Old Children.

Problem. The purpose of this research was to explore some of the variables associated with the emotional states and role satisfaction in mothers. Specifically, the study investigated the self-report of: state/trait anxiety, self-esteem, parental attitudes, and role satisfaction. Procedure. The total sample consisted of 90 women, each of whom had a child aged 20 to 28 months. The research was designed to clarify the self-report variables that are thought to be contributing components of the overall sense of well-being and satisfaction in mothers at this stage of the life cycle. These variables were further evaluated for differences between women with one child and women with more than one child, and between women who are employed and those who are not. Results and Conclusions. The findings of the study relating to the research questions were as follows: (1)Those women who were most satisfied in the roles of wife and mother had high self-esteem, positive parental attitudes, and low state and trait anxiety levels. They became less satisfied in the role of mother when they became pregnant with a second or later child, and remained so while the child was at the 20 to 28 month stage. (2)The working mothers had significantly higher levels of self-esteem than the full-time homemakers and reported experiencing more stressful life-events. Both groups were equally satisfied in their roles of wife and mother. (3)Prenatal class attendance was significantly related to breast feeding. When postpartum depression occurred in women who attended classes, it was of briefer duration than in those who had not attended. (4)The incidence and duration of postpartum depression were inversely related to self-esteem, prepared childbirth class attendance, and positive parental attitudes. They were positively related to both state and trait anxiety. Fifty-two percent of the mothers experienced postpartum depression but virtually no one sought professional counseling. (5)State and trait anxiety related to the other variables in very similar ways. Mothers with high anxiety were likely to have reported postpartum depression, wife and mother role dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and dissatisfaction with their husband's emotional support. (6)Positive parental attitudes were significantly related to satisfaction in wife and mother roles, to self-esteem and to perceived supportiveness of husband. Also, women with less positive parental attitudes were significantly more likely to feel overworked than were those with more positive parental attitudes. (7)The trends in the data suggest that high self-esteem, together with positive parental attitudes and low state and trait anxiety, tend to vary together. These variables appear to reflect the internalized sense of self or ego strength. Those with low levels of ego strength appear to be more vulnerable to stress: they are less satisfied in their various roles and more susceptible to postpartum depression. Summary. The major conclusions of the study indicated that mothers who were most satisfied in their roles had high self-esteem, positive parental attitudes, and low state and trait anxiety. Satisfaction in the mother role decreased when there was more than one child. Employed mothers had higher self-esteem than the nonemployed. While more than half of the women experienced some postpartum depression, virtually none sought professional counseling. In conclusion, the emotional needs of women with young pre-school children have been poorly studied and further applicable counseling research is needed. It is suggested that a component be added to the counselor education curriculum which would address the needs of mothers of pre-schoolers.Ph.D.PsychologySocial psychologyUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/127571/2/8116253.pd