Efficacy of a multimodal nursing intervention strategy in the process of becoming a mother: A randomized controlled trial

The lack of knowledge and skills for transitioning to motherhood places first‐time mothers at greater risk of depression and stress, may lower their perceived self‐efficacy and satisfaction with the maternal role, and potentially affects the mother–infant bond. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a multimodal nursing intervention (AMACOMPRI), based on Mercer's Becoming a Mother Theory, in supporting the process of becoming a mother in first‐time mothers of term infants. This study was a parallel‐group, double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial with a 4‐month postpartum follow‐up. The outcome measures were the process of becoming a mother, functional social support, mother–infant bond, and perceived maternal self‐efficacy. Sixty‐six first‐time mothers completed the study: 33 in the intervention group and 33 in the control group. The intervention was effective in supporting the process of becoming a mother, with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.50) and higher scores on the Becoming‐a‐Mother Scale in the intervention group compared with the control group (intergroup difference 13.04 points; 95% confidence interval: 8.72–17.34). Participants in the intervention group demonstrated higher scores in functional social support, perceived maternal self‐efficacy, and mother–infant bond. This study provides evidence for the efficacy of an innovative nursing intervention that supports the process of becoming a mother. Further testing of the intervention is required in different settings and first‐time mothers of low and high risk newborns.