Age, psychological maturity, and the transition to motherhood among English-speaking Australian women in a metropolitan area
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9796120 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Anna-Lisa Camberis (corresponding author), Christopher Mcmahon (0000-0002-3753-006X), Catherine A McMahon, Frances L Gibson, Frances Gibson (Macquarie University), Jérôme Boivin (0000-0001-9498-1708, Cardiff University) |
| Year | 2014 |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Pages | 2154-2164 |
| Publication date | 2014-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Developmental Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0012-1649 • E-ISSN: 1939-0599 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037/a0037301 |
| PMID | 25069055 |
| OpenAlex | W2092119549 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 29 |
In the context of the trend toward delayed parenthood, this study examines whether older maternal age is associated with greater psychological maturity and whether greater psychological maturity provides any adaptive benefit during the transition to motherhood. A sample of 240 predominantly English-speaking Australian women in a metropolitan area expecting their 1st baby (mean age = 32.81 years; 41% conceived after fertility treatment) completed measures of psychological maturity (hardiness, ego development, and ego resiliency) and pregnancy adaptation (maternal fetal attachment and formation of a maternal identity) in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and a measure of postnatal adjustment at 4-6 months postpartum. Structural equation modeling showed age was positively associated with a latent construct of psychological maturity, and psychological maturity was associated with more optimal adaptation in pregnancy and early motherhood. Both psychological maturity and pregnancy adaptation predicted positive postnatal adjustment. Age was indirectly related to adaptation through its relationship with psychological maturity. The relationships in the model applied regardless of mode of conception (fertility treatment or spontaneous). Potentially confounding contextual factors associated with older age at motherhood, higher education, and maternal and child health were included in the model. These results suggest that psychological maturity is a benefit of motherhood at older ages
Developmental psychology · Maturity (psychological · Metropolitan area · Transition (genetics · Chemistry · Early Childhood Education and Development · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Medicine · Psychology · Youth Education and Societal Dynamics
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Ego Development
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Ego development and personality change in adulthood
Hardiness and health
Effects of maternal age on parenting role
Impact of prebirth parent personality and marital functioning on family development
The Personality Construct of Hardiness, V
Comparative fit indexes in structural models
Transition to motherhood and the self
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IQ and ego-resiliency
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| Unique citing works | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,64 |
| Citation span | 2015 - 2025 (11) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 7 |