The impact of nursing care based on transition theory on maternal role performance and parental self-efficacy in primiparous women: a randomized controlled study

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the impact of individualized nursing care, grounded in Meleis' Transition Theory, on maternal role performance and parental self-efficacy in primiparous women. BACKGROUND: Research indicates that care practices informed by theoretical frameworks, particularly those focused on the transition to motherhood, can positively influence women's adaptation to their new maternal roles. DESIGN: A randomized, single-blind controlled trial was conducted with women meeting the inclusion criteria. Results were reported following the CONSORT 2010 guidelines. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under registration number NCT05866588. METHODS: A total of 99 primiparous women participated in the study, with 49 in the experimental group and 50 in the control group. The experimental group received nursing care based on Meleis' Transition Theory, which included 8 educational and counseling sessions-4 prior to birth and 4 after-spanning from the 28th-32nd week of pregnancy through the 4th month postpartum. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Being a Parent for the First Time Scale, and the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale. Statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and regression analysis. RESULTS: The nursing care provided to the experimental group led to statistically significant improvements in maternal role satisfaction, perceptions of life changes, and parental self-efficacy compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nursing care based on Meleis' Transition Theory enhanced maternal role satisfaction, increased parental self-efficacy, and improved maternal adaptation in primiparous women. It is recommended that nurses apply Transition Theory to support a healthy transition to motherhood in this population. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of individualized nursing care in facilitating a healthy transition to the maternal role and offers valuable insights for the nursing literature. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry NCT05866588 Registration date 2023/05/01 (Retrospectively registered).