Mothering Identity Experiences: A Backwards Glance

Abstract

Aspects of human growth and development have been studied since the inception of psychology as a field of science. The impact of the quality of mothering on children has been highly researched. However, little attention has been paid in the professional literature to the experiences of mothers as their children move through developmental stages. The focus of this hermeneutic phenomenology study was to investigate how mothers’ experiences of their child's growth and development changed her perceptions of her identity and herself. Participants were eight women who had launched the oldest child from the home within the last 2 years. Extensive data analysis and triangulation procedures were conducted to develop themes. Universal themes experienced by all participants were categorized as internal (questioning, comparison, being purposeful, and feeling supported) and external (experiencing joy). Some participant experiences were influenced by incidental themes such as subsequent children, expectations versus reality, and spirituality. Participants’ experience of their mothering role was also impacted by the process of letting go through the developmental progression of their children. Clinical implications are discussed.

Cultural and Contextual Factors of Infancy Through Early Childhood

“…Of particular concern are the neurological, emotional, behavioral impacts of in utero teratogen ("malformation-causing") exposure (Chasnoff, 1989;Chasnoff et al, 1990Chasnoff et al, , 1998Chasnoff et al, , 2005Chasnoff et al, , 2015Chasnoff et al, , 2018Latini et al, 2006;Ragusa et al, 2021;Ross et al, 2015) and innumerable other forms of trauma and toxic stress that impact medical and mental health (Danese & Lewis, 2017;Fleming et al, 2018;Gilliland et al, 1999; Chapter 4: Cultural and Contextual Factors of Infancy Through Early Childhood 97 Goldstein et al, 2021;Schwarze et al, 2013;Herzog & Schmahl, 2018), even transgenerationally (Jawaid et al, 2018;Lehrner & Yehuda, 2018;Perroud et al, 2014;Serpeloni et al, 2017). This chapter introduces the reader to theory and research related to early childhood development, including the bi-directional developmental impact children and parents/caregivers have on each other (Crouter & Booth, 2003;Gouze et al, 2017;Schrock & Woodruff-Borden, 2010;Simmons et al, 2021).…”