Objective: to identify the influence of the type of family, as well as of sociodemographical and health characteristics, in the adaptation to the maternal role (AMR) in primiparous mothers from the Teziutlán district, in Puebla (Mexico).
Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Teziutlán Public Health Centre with Expanded Services, on a study population of 726 primiparous women. Non-probabilistic convenience sampling was used, including mothers with 1-to-12-month children who attended the centre between August and November, 2019. Measurement instruments: questionnaire for sociodemographical, family and pregnancy data, and the ARM scale (low level: (56 to 180 scores), intermediate: (181 to 202 scores), and high level (203 to 224 scores)). Descriptive statistical indexes and bivariate analysis were conducted.
Results: the study included 126 mothers. High levels in ARM were more frequently obtained in 13-to-19-year-old (28.6%) or 30-to-52-year old women (28.6%), homemakers (26.8%) and with secondary education (27%), on a consensual union couple relationship (25.9%) or married (22.2%), for four years or longer (25.6%) and living with their extended family of origin (28.6%). Also in those who planned their pregnancy (36%), followed their prenatal appointments (27%) and had no previous miscarriages (23.8%).
Conclusion: the ARM varies according to type of family, and increases when the couple relationship has lasted over four years and by living with the family of the mother. There are other sociodemographical and pregnancy-related characteristics which will also have a positive impact.