Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Clinical-Developmental Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-73). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR31997

Thesis (D. Psych (Clinical))--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2008.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 28-31. cm). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2002. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 64 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 35-39).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Supervisor: Deborah Jacobvitz. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2006. / Title from title screen. Cecelia Grindel, committee chair; Carol Howell, Patsy Ruchala, committee members. Electronic text (159 p. : ill. (some col.)) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed June 13, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 90-98).

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Clinical and Developmental Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-53). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004 & res_dat=xri:pqdiss & rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation & rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR31988.

Compared to term infants, it is known that preterm infants have relatively poor regulation and are less able to handle stimulation, which only allows limited time of alertness favorable for productive social interaction. Parents that are less knowledgeable in this would often feel distressed when they try to interact with their babies. Also, non-optimal parent-infant interaction may further stress the preterm infants. So, intervention that seeks to handle this problem is needed. Mother-infant intervention is a strategy that teaches mothers or parents to respond appropriately to infants’ cues and when to stop handling. This intervention helps to achieve optimal parent-infant interaction. Evidence in the current literature has suggested that early mother-infant intervention in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is effective in promoting maternal mental health after preterm delivery. Therefore, the proposed innovation attempts to use mother-infant intervention to reduce depressive symptoms and parenting stress of these mothers. The implementation potential of the mother-infant intervention was explored. It was found that the intervention is highly transferable and feasible to be applied in the hospital settings of Hong Kong with Chinese women. The benefits of implementing the proposed innovation also far outweigh the cost. An evidence-based practice guideline was then developed. Thorough communication plan, implementation plan and pilot study plan will be launched. The whole program will last for 24 months including stages from obtaining approval, planning, carrying out pilot study, launching the actual implementation, to conducting data collection and program evaluation. / published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

Transition to motherhood is referred to as change in the new role and relationship during women's developmental stages. Difficult transitions may cause problems in the mother-infant relationship and influence the acceptance of this role. The purpose of this study was to investigate transition to motherhood as it relates to early mother infant interaction, stress and social support of first time Taiwanese mothers, and to determine other maternal characteristics related to transition to motherhood. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 63 first-time postpartum mothers between ages of 18 to 35 who intended to breastfeed their infants. The subjects were recruited from a maternity unit of one medical center in south of Taiwan between year 2004 to year 2005. Four major instruments were used to collect the data: Revised What Being the Parent of a Baby is like Questionnaire, The Nursing Child Assessment Scale, The Perceived Stress Scale and The Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. The first administration of all questionnaires was conducted and the feeding interaction was observed and scored on the postpartum day during hospitalization (Time 1). After observation, immediate feedback regarding their feeding interaction including positive feedback and suggestions were given to all participants by the investigator. The second administration of all questionnaires was conducted at 4 weeks postpartum (Time 2). The last administration of all questionnaires was mailed to participants at 4 months postpartum (Time3). T-test, analysis of variance, Pearson Correlation and stepwise multiple regression were utilized to analyze the data. Findings indicate that first- time mothers with lower perceived stress and longer breastfeeding had an easier transition process to motherhood. During this transition, social support mediates the effect of perceived stress. The data fit the model and explained 42 % of the variance in transition to motherhood. Up to 29 % of variance was explained by perceived stress and of 13 %was explained by the length ofbreastfeeding. The study provides a knowledge base for further research on transition to motherhood and designing advanced educational program for new parents and clinical practice is required. Key words: transition, motherhood, mother-infant interaction, stress, social support.