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‘Living in two worlds’ : A qualitative analysis of first-time mothers’ experiences of maternal ambivalence
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Raneberg, Agne and MacCallum, Fiona (2023) ‘Living in two worlds’ : A qualitative analysis of first-time mothers’ experiences of maternal ambivalence. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology . pp. 1-15. doi:10.1080/02646838.2023.2206842 ISSN 0264-6838. (In Press)
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WRAP-Living-two-worlds-qualitative-analysis-first-time-mothers-experiences-maternal-ambivalence-23.pdf - Accepted Version Embargoed item. Restricted access to Repository staff only until 9 May 2024. Contact author directly, specifying your specific needs. - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (440Kb) |
Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2206842
Abstract
Objective
The aim of this qualitative study was to examine experiences and meanings of maternal ambivalence in first-time mothers with young children.
Background
In contrast with normative expectations surrounding contemporary motherhood, there is growing recognition that becoming and being a mother involves ambivalent feelings, and that these feelings are normal and have positive psychological consequences. Yet, little attention has been paid to women’s subjective experiences of maternal ambivalence, and capacity to acknowledge and manage ambivalent feelings.
Methods
Eleven semi-structured online interviews, with first-time mothers, were conducted and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology.
Results
Two group experiential themes were identified: Crossing boundaries of acceptable mothering feelings and Mothering from a place of ‘enough’. Ambivalent mothering feelings challenged participants’ expectations about motherhood and themselves as mothers, producing anxiety, self-doubt and feelings of failure. Distress accompanying maternal ambivalence was especially acute when participants perceived their feelings to be unacceptable. Viewing conflicting feelings with compassion, however, helped participants to cope with their diverse and fluctuating emotional mothering experiences, allowing them to mother with a greater sense of equanimity, agency and competence.
Conclusion
The study’s findings indicate the potential benefits of providing information about the emotional turbulence of early motherhood as part of routine maternity care, as well as the potential value of offering parenting interventions that promote self-compassion to mothers struggling to manage feelings of ambivalence.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
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Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Psychology | ||||||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Motherhood -- Psychological asects, Mother and child , Ambivalence | ||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology | ||||||||
Publisher: | Routledge | ||||||||
ISSN: | 0264-6838 | ||||||||
Official Date: | 2023 | ||||||||
Dates: |
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Page Range: | pp. 1-15 | ||||||||
DOI: | 10.1080/02646838.2023.2206842 | ||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
Publication Status: | In Press | ||||||||
Reuse Statement (publisher, data, author rights): | This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology on 9/05/2023 and is available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/02646838.2023.2206842 | ||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access | ||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 17 May 2023 |
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