Learning Projects of Mothers of Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants

Abstract

Parenthood is a stage of adult development that involves extensive learning. In anticipation of impending parenthood, many adults deliberately prepare themselves by attending structured parent education classes and through books, films, friends, and relatives. After the arrival of the infant, parents learn to cope with new responsibilities, new developmental tasks, and new situations. When an infant is premature, there may be additional learning efforts that are related to the birth and subsequent care of the child. This study was designed to examine the deliberate learning projects undertaken by adult mothers of preterm or low birth weight infants. The objectives were to identify and describe specific characteristics of each learning project that was related to the birth and care of these infants.