A comparison of perceived and demonstrated maternal role competence of adolescent mothers

This study investigated and compared the perceived and demonstrated maternal role competence of adolescent mothers. The subjects were 32 mothers who delivered by vaginal delivery, were primipara, and had normal healthy babies. The two criterion measures of perceived and demonstrated maternal role competence were the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale and the Method for Observation of Maternal and Infant Behavior. Data were collected between 12 and 24 hours post‐delivery for each mother. The results of data analysis indicated that there was no significant correlation between the perceived and demonstrated maternal role competence of adolescent mothers. The result lends support to the viewpoint that perceptions and attitudes are inconsistent with behavior. There are direct implications from this study concerning the appropriate methods for assessing the maternal role competence of adolescent mothers. However, additional research would be helpful to identify more effective and efficient methods for assessing maternal role competence of adolescent mothers and planning appropriate intervention.