Factors Influencing the Maternal Life Balance of Flemish Mothers, a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined the levels of maternal life balance and its influencing factors. The sample was composed of 731 Flemish mothers who self-reported on perceived maternal life balance; maternal-infant bonding; emotional wellbeing and coping responses to motherhood. Sociodemographic details were obtained. Mothers overall perceived life balance. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a model with predictors of perceived maternal life balance: Sense of coherence (B.157; p.000), level of education (B.035; p.000), seeking social support (B.064; p.008) and shared parenting (B.080; p.030) had a significant positive relationship with maternal life balance. Low emotional wellbeing (B-.273; p.000), income level (B-.144; p<.000), maternal age (B-.009; p.011) had a significant negative relationship with maternal life balance. To establish and maintain maternal life balance, Flemish mothers, mothers ³31 years of age in particular, would benefit from support during their children's pre-primary school ageperiod, irrespective of maternal socio-economic characteristics. Professional and peer support should include the dialogue about transition to motherhood, adaptation of the maternal identity and maternal role attainment. The woman's emotional wellbeing, her concerns about motherhood, her coping resources and what motherhood means to the individual woman should be considered. Education of professionals and future research, with specific attention to co-parents, older mothers and mothers with a non-Flemish background, are recommended.

Exploring the uses of virtues in woman‐centred care: A quest, synthesis and reflection

“…Care models where 'less is more' are known for high levels of midwives' satisfaction and wellbeing (Fenwick et al, 2018;Newton et al, 2014). When a smaller sized practice or continuity of care(r) is not feasible, the midwife can make changes in the existing practice organization, such as by extending the time of antenatal and postnatal checks, reorganizing in smaller teams of midwives or offering directwoman related (social) activities (Fontein, 2010;Fontein-Kuipers, de Groot, et al, 2019;Kuipers et al, 2019).…”

The impact of motherhood on the course of women's psychological wellbeing

“…Motherhood is characterized by connectedness, affection, warmth, closeness and interdependency in the mother-child dyad over the course of motherhood (Taylor et al, 2005;Heisler and Butler Ellis, 2008;Emmanuel and St John, 2010;Umberson et al, 2010;Thomson et al, 2012;Nelson et al, 2014). Despite the positive aspects of motherhood, it is known that the life balance of women who have children, can be affected, in particular among women with children in the (pre)primary school age and among women with more than one child (Craig and Sawrikar, 2009;Hansen, 2012;Rizzo, 2013;Fontein-Kuipers et al, 2015;Kuipers et al, 2019). Some mothers find it difficult and challenging to parent or to relate to their child, causing feelings of stress and guilt (Hansen, 2012;Kopala-Sibley, 2012).…”

“…Some mothers describe negative emotional responses to motherhood when experiencing negative, paradoxical, or ambivalent feelings towards motherhood and/or the child (Chapman and Gubi, 2019;Hansen, 2012;Heilman and Okimoto, 2008;Miller, 2011;Newby, 2021;Viitanen, 2014). Reduced psychological wellbeing has been recognized as an important factor to negatively affect life balance of mothers with children up to 12 years of age (Kuipers et al, 2019). Poor emotional health while being a mother can be caused by the challenges related to the commitment to nurture another human and to dynamics and changes to relationship and social context and to experiencing a loss of freedom and (financial) independence (Heisler and Butler Ellis, 2008;APA, 2010;Emmanuel and St John, 2010;Umberson et al, 2010;Chapman and Gubi, 2019;Hansen, 2012;Heilman and Okimoto, 2008;Miller, 2011;Newby, 2021;Viitanen, 2014).…”

“…Poor emotional health while being a mother can be caused by the challenges related to the commitment to nurture another human and to dynamics and changes to relationship and social context and to experiencing a loss of freedom and (financial) independence (Heisler and Butler Ellis, 2008;APA, 2010;Emmanuel and St John, 2010;Umberson et al, 2010;Chapman and Gubi, 2019;Hansen, 2012;Heilman and Okimoto, 2008;Miller, 2011;Newby, 2021;Viitanen, 2014). For many women, motherhood is combined with high expectations for a career and a supportive relationshipmultitasking can add stress (Hoffnung, 2004;;Kuipers et al, 2019;Beeck van et al, 2019).…”

Comparative Analysis of Social Responses Between Mothers with Preterm and Term Babies in Teaching Hospital, Ile – Ife, Osun State

“…It is the period where parents form new, more accurate, objective and realistic representations of their baby compared to the expected image of baby that was fantasized and anticipated before delivery (Gonçalve et al, 2020). According to Kuipers et al (2019) despite the benefits of motherhood, it is well recognized that the life balance of women who have children can be disrupted, regardless of gestational age or circumstances surrounding the delivery of the baby(ies). McLeish and Redshaw (2017) opinioned that the transition to parenting is a potentially sensitive time for mothers' mental health, with 9-21% of women experiencing overt or covert despair and/or anxiety while caring for their newborn.…”