Maternal orientation in pregnancy and early motherhood

Maternal orientation theory outlines two orientations to motherhood (Raphael-Leff,

1983). The Facilitator orientation is characterised by idealisation of the infant and the

mothering role, and caregiving practices reflecting an infant-led approach. The Regulator

orientation is described as a more resistant stance, where the mother seeks to defend herself

from being overwhelmed by the infant and motherhood, with caregiving typified by a

scheduled mother-led approach. The theory proposes that distinct intrapsychic processes

predict caregiving practices, psychological adjustment during the transition to parenthood

and individual differences in maternal vulnerability. However, there is little empirical

evidence to support these propositions. Furthermore, three different maternal orientation

measures have been used in the literature making it difficult to generalise across studies.

This thesis addresses four research aims. Two studies aimed to explore the

psychometric properties of the maternal orientation measures and assess relations with

caregiving practices and maternal adjustment concurrently. Results from these exploratory

studies informed two further prospective studies to test relationships between maternal

orientation in pregnancy and caregiving, and maternal adjustment in the early months

postpartum.

The first study (N = 230 expectant mothers) explored the psychometric properties of

the three empirical measures of maternal orientation in pregnancy. These three measures

were modestly correlated, and a revised version of the Antenatal Maternal Orientation

Measure (AMOM; Sharp & Bramwell, 2004), the Antenatal Maternal Orientation Measure-

Revised (AMOM-R), emerged as the most reliable and valid measure.