Being able to see your child: the journey of a single mother in a MBT group for high-risk parents, through her representations of the child

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper explores the parental representations of the child, through the case study of one participant in a mentalization-based intervention for parents of young children aged one – two years old, involved with the child welfare system as a result of their child’s maltreatment. A single mother’s representations of the child are analysed during the programme, through a qualitative lens. Narrative Processes Coding System (NPCS) and Thematic Analysis (TA) are used in combination, to elicit the mother’s representations by identifying language modes and themes from her narratives about both her own and other children. The maternal representations of the child appeared to be less negative as the programme reached its end. The mother’s reflexive language grew significantly in the middle phase of the programme and regressed during the last phase. However, the combined use of NPCS and TA showed an overall richer and less negative portrayal of the child during the ending phase. These findings suggest that during the course of the programme, the mother’s journey through her representations of the child, was characterised by progressions and regressions. There was also an emotional richness in the last phase of the programme that indicates the mother’s engagement in the group and her overall positive journey towards the development and the strengthening of a less negative representation of the child. Despite its limitations, this study hopes to provide insights for clinicians establishing and promoting interventions that aim to empower parents to clearly see their children.