An interpretative phenomenological analysis of mothers’ negative experiences and emotions during early motherhood

Abstract

Contemporary ideologies surrounding motherhood do not appear to reflect the experiences of many women. Motherhood is often idealised as a joyful experience, however a large proportion of women experience psychological distress, often receiving a diagnosis of postnatal depression. Current psychiatric systems may not adequately represent mothers’ experiences or reflect the range and complexity of emotions experienced. Most psychological research explores mothers’ emotions through the lens of a medical model, with a focus on depression; the exploration of emotions beyond depression has been under-researched. This study explored the range of emotions mothers experience during early motherhood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women who experienced post-natal distress; data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results showed a conflict between the mothers’ aspired and idyllic representations of motherhood and their lived experiences; three themes were identified: when idyllic notions of motherhood are not realised; when motherhood is not instinctive; and when prioritising childcare is not easy. Mothers who were unable to live up to the identified notions of motherhood, experienced emotional distress, from resentment and guilt, to feeling broken and insecure. The amalgamation of emotions experienced created a complex emotional landscape they had to negotiate, and their experiences were not represented in the psychiatric categorical systems; they did not identify with having postnatal depression and were left unsupported. This study explored ways counselling psychologists could offer support to this sub-clinical group and viewing their experiences as a normal response to motherhood as opposed to pathologising them.

Exigencias asociadas al género en mujeres chilenas con DPP: Familia, pareja, sistema de salud público.

“…Se utiliza la perspectiva de género para indagar en la temática de la maternidad debido a que la cultura machista impone expectativas a las mujeres (Daros, 2014), crea normas y presiones asociadas al género que tienen un impacto significativo en sus vidas, incluyendo especialmente en torno a la maternidad (Collins, 2021). La maternidad ha sido construida en torno al rol de la mujer como cuidadora natural de los hijos (Daros, 2014), por tanto, surge un constante conflicto entre la idealización y la realidad de la maternidad, donde las vivencias reales de las mujeres divergen de la representación idealizada (Collins, 2021).…”