Abstract
Background: Becoming a mother is a major developmental transition involving psychological, social, and behavioral adaptation, marking both identity reconstruction and changes in family dynamics [1-2], also influences infant development [3]. Existing studies in China mainly examine associations between Maternal role adaptation (MRA) and related variables, with limited attention to intra-group heterogeneity. This study applied latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify distinct MRA patterns and influencing factors among postpartum women.
Purpose: To explore latent subgroups of maternal role adaptation among Chinese postpartum women and identify associated sociodemographic, psychological, and social determinants.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 500 postpartum women (4–6 months postpartum) was conducted in Henan and Shandong Provinces. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and Mplus 8.3. Group differences were examined via t-tests, ANOVA, Welch test, and chi-square test. Significant variables were included in multinomial logistic regression to identify predictors of latent profiles.
Results: LPA revealed three MRA profiles: Low (29.2%), Moderate (33.6%), and High (37.2%). Profiles differed significantly in postpartum depression, infant-care social support, maternal age, parity, employment, education, income, feeding method, and partner involvement. Multinomial logistic regression showed that greater infant-care social support, unemployment, formula feeding, and higher partner involvement increased the likelihood of Moderate and High MRA. Higher education distinguished High MRA from other groups, while lower postpartum depression and multiparity further differentiated High from Moderate MRA. Infant-care social support consistently predicted higher MRA.
Conclusion: This study is the first to apply LPA to maternal role adaptation in Chinese postpartum women, identifying three distinct adaptation profiles with different psychosocial risk patterns. Social support, partner involvement, maternal education, employment, feeding method, and parity are key determinants shaping maternal role adaptation.
Notes
References:
1. Lorén H, Weineland S, Rembeck G. Facing a new life, the healthy transition to motherhood: What individual and environmental factors are needed? A phenomenological-hermeneutic study. Midwifery. 2024; 130:103917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2024.103917
2. Mercer RT. Becoming a mother versus maternal role attainment. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2004;36(3):226–232. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2004.04042.x
3. Goodman JH. Perinatal depression and infant mental health. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2019;33(3):217–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2019.01.010
Funding:
This study was supported by CNU Star Fellowship (Research) program, part of the Chungnam National University Graduate Innovation Project, and
BK21 FOUR research Fund,College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, funded by the Ministry of Education and National Research Foundation of Korea.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Public and Community Health, Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Maternal Role, Maternal Attitudes, China
Recommended Citation
Yi, Feiyan; Ren, Liping; Ahn, Sukhee; Dong, Xinxiang; and Liu, Guijun, "Patterns of Maternal Role Adaptation Among Chinese Postpartum Women: A Latent Profiles Approach" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 239.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/239
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-29
Patterns of Maternal Role Adaptation Among Chinese Postpartum Women: A Latent Profiles Approach
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Becoming a mother is a major developmental transition involving psychological, social, and behavioral adaptation, marking both identity reconstruction and changes in family dynamics [1-2], also influences infant development [3]. Existing studies in China mainly examine associations between Maternal role adaptation (MRA) and related variables, with limited attention to intra-group heterogeneity. This study applied latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify distinct MRA patterns and influencing factors among postpartum women.
Purpose: To explore latent subgroups of maternal role adaptation among Chinese postpartum women and identify associated sociodemographic, psychological, and social determinants.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 500 postpartum women (4–6 months postpartum) was conducted in Henan and Shandong Provinces. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and Mplus 8.3. Group differences were examined via t-tests, ANOVA, Welch test, and chi-square test. Significant variables were included in multinomial logistic regression to identify predictors of latent profiles.
Results: LPA revealed three MRA profiles: Low (29.2%), Moderate (33.6%), and High (37.2%). Profiles differed significantly in postpartum depression, infant-care social support, maternal age, parity, employment, education, income, feeding method, and partner involvement. Multinomial logistic regression showed that greater infant-care social support, unemployment, formula feeding, and higher partner involvement increased the likelihood of Moderate and High MRA. Higher education distinguished High MRA from other groups, while lower postpartum depression and multiparity further differentiated High from Moderate MRA. Infant-care social support consistently predicted higher MRA.
Conclusion: This study is the first to apply LPA to maternal role adaptation in Chinese postpartum women, identifying three distinct adaptation profiles with different psychosocial risk patterns. Social support, partner involvement, maternal education, employment, feeding method, and parity are key determinants shaping maternal role adaptation.
Description
This study used latent profile analysis to identify three maternal role adaptation profiles—low, moderate, and high—among Chinese postpartum women. Findings highlight the importance of psychosocial and family factors and support targeted interventions to enhance co-parenting and community support.