Reva Rubin

RN,PhD.

Theory of Maternal Identity.

Rubin introduced the concept of Maternal Role Attainment in the late nineteen sixties.(Rubin, 1967). She described the maternal role as a complex cognitive and social process which is learned, reciprocal, and interactive. Maternal identity is considered the culmination or end-point of MRA, characterized by the woman’s comfort in her role. Rubin’s work focused on “traditional” mothers and dealt with MRA from the point of acceptance of

the pregnancy to one month postpartum.

 

Building on the work of Rubin, Ramona Mercer studied mothers of all age groups and experiences and created the practice-oriented theory of MRA (Mercer, 1981 , Mercer, 1985 , Mercer, 1986). She expanded on Rubin’s time frame for MRA, extending the process to 12 months postpartum.

Mercer’s theory has had tremendous impact on researchers in the parent child arena and is the chief theoretical framework upon which many studies in this field are based (Kemp, Sibley, & Pond, 1990 , Koniak-Griffin & Verzemnieks, 1991 , Mercer, 1985,  Mercer, 1986. (Extract from: Ann T. Sartore,RN). (Reva Rubin- Mercer’s Professor and Mentor).

• Maternal Identity - Rubin introduced the concept of Maternal Role Attainment in the late nineteen sixties.(Rubin, 1967). She described the maternal role as a complex cognitive and social process which is learned, reciprocal, and interactive. (Information from Nursingtheory.net)

Sample Publications:

 Ann T Sartore,RN. Maternal Role Attainment in Adolescent Mothers: Foundations and Implications.

Maternal Role Attainment in Adolescent Mothers: Foundations and Implecations - Volume 3, Document Number 11 The Online Journal of Knowledge Synthesis for Nursing.

 

Intrapartum Nursing: Integrating Rubin’s Framework With Social Support Theory. Martha Rider Sleutel - Article explores Reva Rubin’s framework and social support theory. Address for correspondence: Martha Rider Sleutel, PhD, RN, CNS, is an assistant professor of nursing, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX.

 

Violet Franks, PhD. Series Editor:

BECOMING A MOTHER  Research on Maternal Identity from Rubin to the Present. Ramona T. Mercer, Rn, PhD, FAAN Springer Series: Focus on Women. This volume offers a comprehensive review of all the current knowledge on maternal role attainment since Reva Rubin’s seminal work

 

Rubin, R. (1967). Attainment of the maternal role. Part 1:Processes. Nursing Research, 16, 237-245.

 

CD-Rom: ‘Reva Rubin. Theory of Maternal Identity”

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