BACKGROUND:
Background: Despite the significance of transition into motherhood, Perrykkad, O’Neill, and Jamadar (2024) report that minimal research exists on how transitional changes influence women’s ‘Sense of Self’ following birth. Furthermore, Parratt and Fahy (2011) highlight a lack of midwifery theory that specifically addresses women’s experiences of change associated with their ‘Sense of Self’. Given that the concept remains poorly defined in the literature, this paper explores methodological approaches for conducting a concept analysis that focuses on ‘Sense of Self’. Several analytical methods are outlined for conducting concept analysis, not just in midwifery research, each with particular methodological strengths and limitations.

OBJECTIVES:
Objective: to determine the most suitable approach for analysing ‘Sense of Self’ in the context of maternity.

METHODS:
Method: A systematic review was conducted to identify and compare different concept analysis methodologies used in midwifery. Databases searched included MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Maternity and Infant Care, PsycInfo, and Web of Science.

RESULTS:
Results: The five most commonly applied methodologies were identified: Walker and Avant’s method (2014), Rodger’s evolutionary (2000), and the principle-based approach by Penrod & Hupcey, 2005), Dimensional analysis by Caron and Bowers (2000), and the Hybrid Model by Schwartz-Barcott & Kim (2000). Among these, Rodgers’s evolutionary approach emerged as the most epistemologically and ontologically appropriate for analysing ‚Sense of Self‘, due to its dynamic, context-sensitive orientation and emphasis on the concept development over time.

CONCLUSIONS:
Key conclusions: A critical evaluation of the approaches highlights that not all are equally effective for analysing ‘Sense of Self’. Rodgers' evolutionary method offers the strongest alignment with the conceptual nature of ‘Sense of Self’ in maternal research

KEY MESSAGE:
Rodgers' evolutionary method offers the strongest alignment with the conceptual nature of ‘Sense of Self’ in maternal research Poster session 1 (Group A)