The birth of a child, like puberty or menopause, is generally regarded as a critical event in a woman's life. A lot of new experiences occur rapidly, and mothers as primary caregivers, must adapt and cope with new responsibilities.

The longitudinal study presented here attempted to examine how first-time mothers attain their maternal role over time. The aims of the study is what changes occur in the level of maternal role attainment at 6 weeks postpartum, 4 and 8 months after birth.

Data was collected at three measurement periods( 6 weeks, 4 months, and 8 months after birth) with 54 primiparpus mothers. Maternal role attainment was operationlized as maternal identity that was assessed by a Semantic Differential Scale, Myself as Mother and maternal role strain was measured using a 20-item index slightly modified from Hobbs' Scale. The mothers perception of emotional support and physical support she received from her husband was measured using an 21-item index slightly modified from Taylor Inventory.

The process of maternal role attainment in which the mother achieves competence in the role and integrate the her identity as a mother did not differ over time(F(2, 171)=.113, p=.893) in this study. When role strain compared over time, there were no significant difference. But, role strain scores at 4 months after delivery were lower than the postpartum period or when the baby was about 8 months old. Also, there did not show a significant difference about support from husband. These results indicated that mothers did not receive enough support from their husband.