Running Head: Ramona Mercer Newsletter

Nursing Theory Group Project: Ramona Mercer Newsletter

Jessica DeMatio, Rachael Seiter, Maggie Siler, Susan Vansteel

Ferris State University

 Theory of Maternal Role Attainment

Ramona T. Mercer RN, PHD, FAAN

The origins of Ramona Mercer’s midrange
nursing theory of maternal role attainment lie in
her initial career as a pediatric nurse as well as
intra/post- partum and newborn nursery staff
nurse. Ramona Mercer’s quest for professional
nursing knowledge speaks for itself as she
completed her first nursing degree in 1950. She
continued her education throughout her career and
retired as Professor, Department of Family Health
Care Nursing at the University of Southern
California in 1987. Her ongoing research on
parenting has spanned the course of over thirty Photo credit: M&M Studio San Francisco
years.
Her maternal role attainment (more recently
updated to becoming a mother) model serves as a
framework for nurses to assist mothers form a
strong attachment to their child, and to their role Academic
as a mother (“Nursing theory - role attainment,"  1950 Diploma RN St. Margaret’s School of Nursing
2005). She feels strongly that “interactive nursing Montgomery, Alabama L.L. Hill Award of highest
interventions are the most effective in enhancing Scholastic standing
mother-infant interactions and maternal  1962 BSN University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
knowledge about infant care” (Mercer & Walker,  1964 MSN in maternal child nursing
2006). Her theory specifically addresses  Emory University Atlanta Georgia Inducted into Sigma
interventions to help nontraditional mothers Theta Tau.
become successful parents (Nurses.info, 2010).  1973 PhD University of Pittsburgh in maternity nursing,
Her theory of maternal role attainment- inducted into Sigma Theta Tau
becoming a mother is related to the process of
pregnancy and the first year of the infant’s life. Career
The focus to understanding the process of a life
change to a mother status, and how the nurse can 1950 Staff nurse, head nurse and instructor in areas of
help the woman and her family develop pediatric, obstetrics and contagious disease.
throughout this life change. Mercer’s theory
covers attachment to the infant, mother 1964 Served as faculty for 5 years
development of caretaking, and finally satisfaction
1973 Assistant Professor University of California for the
with the role as a mother.
Department of Family HealthCare Nursing

Theorist interpretation is based on relating to 1977 Associate Professor University of California for the
information presented in the model and Department of Family HealthCare Nursing
definitions. As a parent, relating to Mercer’s
theory clarified some characteristics of children 1983 Professor University of California for the Department of
and how family dynamics can relate to her nursing Family HealthCare Nursing
models. In her book Becoming a Mother she
states that “mother-father relationships, family 1987 Retired
functioning, social support, and stress have direct
and indirect effects on the mother and child and
maternal identity” (Mercer, 1995, p. 15).

Model of Maternal Role Attainment (Meighan, p. 583)
Becoming a Mother
 Maternal identity develops concurrently
with maternal attachment and each
depends on the other.
 The father’s or mothers intimate partner
contribute to the role attainment in a
way that cannot be duplicated by any
other supportive person.
 The infant is considered an active
partner in the maternal role-taking
process.
 A relatively stable core self, acquired
through life-long socialization,
determines how a mother defines and
perceives events. Overall, Mercer’s
theory is a complex study of the process
of becoming a parent, specifically a
mother.
There are major changes within the
relationship of the parents upon conception.
The child then continues to cause change in
the parent’s relationship. According to
Mercer, Nichols, Doyle and Caspers (1989)
"Inter-generational relationships between
mothers and fathers have emerged on
importance during childbearing
years"(p.120). The mother, specifically, has
huge changes according to Mercer. She
begins the process of maternal role
development upon become pregnant. In
most situations the mother is the primary
caregiver, and her bond with the infant is an
ongoing process, with eventual feelings of
becoming and feeling secure as a mother.
The nurse is very helpful in this process, and
can offer support throughout the role change
(Meighan, 2008)
Concepts and Definition
Maternal Identity: How the individual view
herself as a mother.
Birth Experience: The mother’s perception of
labor and birth.
Self- Esteem: Mothers confidence and
acceptances of her own self.
Self- Concept:
Flexibility: Ability to adapt to various
mothering roles.
Childrearing Attitude: Beliefs about how to
raise children.
Health Status: The parent’s general outlook on
health.
Anxiety: Perception of stressful or worrisome
situation.
Depression: Defined as having various
symptoms such as unhappiness, lack of energy
dejection, insomnia and how it affects the
mother.
Role Strain-Role Conflict: Feeling of
inadequacy as a parent.
Gratification –Satisfaction: Senses of
fulfillment when interacting with infant.
Attachment: Emotional commitment feelings
of love and connectedness to the infant.
Infant Temperament: Infants’ nature, if
challenging can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
Infant Health Status: Are there health related
issues resulting in separation.
Infant Characteristics: Temperament,
appearance, health of infant
Infant Cues: Behaviors in which a mother
responds
Family: Those people who closely related.
Family Functioning: Performance or dynamics
of the family activities and relationships
Father or Intimate Partner: This is defined as
a specific role that minimizes tension and stress
and makes maternal role attainment possible.
Stress: Pressures or life events whether positive
or negative
Social Support: Perceived satisfaction with
assistance received.
Mother –Father Relationship: The mother’s
perception of the relationship with the
significant other which includes goals and
values and mutual respect. This relationship
affects the attachment an infant develops with
the mother. (Meighan, 2010,
pp 584-585)
 References

Meighan, M. (2008).Maternal role attainment-becoming a mother.In M. R. Alligood, &

A. M.Tomey (Eds.), Nursing theorists and their work (7th ed., pp. 581-598).

Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier

Mercer, Ramona T. RN, PhD, FAAN., (1995). Becoming a Mother .Research On

Maternal Identity from Rubin to the Present. New York, NY: Springer

Publishing Company, Inc., (pp. 15-187).

Mercer, R.T., Nichols, E G., Doyle, G.C. (1989). Transition in a Woman's Life. New

York : Springer Publishing Company, Inc.

Mercer, R. T., & Walker, L. O. (2006, September-October). A review of nursing

interventions to foster becoming a mother. Journal of Obstetrical, Gynecological

and Neonatal Nursing, 35, 568-582. Retrieved from http://0-

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.libcat.ferris.edu/pubmed/16958712

Nurses.info. (2010).

http://www.nurses.info/nursing_theory_midrange_theories_ramona_mercer.htm