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CHAPTER 27 Ramona T. Mercer 545

between the family system and other social systems system (Mercer, 1995). National laws regarding
(Mercer, 1990). women and children and health priorities that
The microsystem is the most influential on mater- influence maternal role attainment are within the
nal role attainment (Mercer, 1995; R. Mercer, macrosystem.
personal communication, January 4, 2003). In Maternal role attainment is a process that follows four
1995, Mercer expanded her earlier concepts stages of role acquisition; these stages have been
and model to emphasize the importance of the adapted from Thornton and Nardi’s 1975 research.
father in role attainment, stating that he helps The following stages are indicated in Figure 27–2
“diffuse tension developing within the mother- as the layers a through d:
infant dyad” (p. 15). Maternal role attainment is a. Anticipatory: The anticipatory stage begins during
achieved through the interactions of father, pregnancy and includes the initial social and psy-
mother, and infant. Figure 27–2, first intro- chological adjustments to pregnancy. The mother
duced in Mercer’s (1995) sixth book, Becoming learns the expectations of the role, fantasizes about
a Mother: Research on Maternal Identity from the role, relates to the fetus in utero, and begins to
Rubin to the Present, depicts this interaction. role-play.
The layers a through d represent the stages of b. Formal: The formal stage begins with the birth of
maternal role attainment from anticipatory to the infant and includes learning and taking on
personal (role identity) and the infant’s growth the role of mother. Role behaviors are guided by
and developmental stages (Mercer, 1995). formal, consensual expectations of others in the
2. The mesosystem encompasses, influences, and inter- mother’s social system.
acts with persons in the microsystem. Mesosystem c. Informal: The informal stage begins as the mother
interactions may influence what happens to the develops unique ways of dealing with the role not
developing maternal role and the child. The meso- conveyed by the social system. The woman makes
system includes day care, school, work setting, places her new role fit within her existing lifestyle based
of worship, and other entities within the immediate on past experiences and future goals.
community. d. Personal: The personal or role-identity stage occurs
3. The macrosystem refers to the general prototypes as the woman internalizes her role. The mother
existing in a particular culture or transmitted cul- experiences a sense of harmony, confidence, and
tural consistencies. The macrosystem includes the competence in the way she performs the role, and
social, political, and cultural influences on the the maternal role is achieved.
other two systems. The health care environment Stages of role attainment overlap and are altered
and the current health care system policies that as the infant grows and develops. A maternal role
affect maternal role attainment originate in this identity may be achieved in a month, or it can take
several months (Mercer, 1995). The stages are influ-
enced by social support, stress, family functioning,
Father and also by the relationship between mother and
or father or significant other.
intimate partner
Traits and behaviors of both the mother and the
infant may influence maternal role identity and child
outcome. Maternal traits and behaviors included in
Mother Infant Mercer’s model are empathy, sensitivity to infant cues,
a self-esteem and self-concept, parenting received as a
b a
c b child, maturity and flexibility, attitudes, pregnancy and
d c d birth experience, health, depression, and role conflict.
FIGURE 27-2 A microsystem within the evolving model of Infant traits having an impact on maternal role identity
maternal role attainment. (From Mercer, R. T. [1995]. Becoming include temperament, ability to send cues, appearance,
a mother: Research on maternal identity from Rubin to the pres- general characteristics, responsiveness, and health.
ent. New York: Springer; used by permission.) Examples of the infant’s developmental responses that