Abstract
The purpose of this doctoral dissertation research study was to use arts-based research methods to explore the beyond_words phenomena of first-time mothers who were in the process of transitioning to motherhood. The multidimensional embodied, emotional, and sensory experiences that accompany new motherhood can be overwhelming, be difficult to articulate verbally, and impact the perceptions of the new mother’s relationship to herself and her child (Crossley, 2009; Lintott & Sander-Staudt, 2011; Prinds et al., 2014).In order to honor and capture the emergent, vital, and multi-dimensional nature of beyond_words in transitioning to motherhood, in this study, arts-based research methods were used to explore and represent these phenomena, otherwise inexpressible in words. The arts-based results are presented as five portrait syntheses and a final synthesis play in four acts that bring to life and invite the viewer to live the mothers’ beyond_words experiences, while simultaneously positioning them within the wider context of current medical and health sciences research perspectives. The final synthesis, which is the featured dramatic play, aspires to give voice and aesthetic power to these mothers’ beyond_words transitioning to motherhood experiences. In the philosophical tradition of ABR (Leavy, 2009, 2015), this study marries the rigor of research with the aesthetic power of the visual and dramatic arts challenging existing assumptions, beliefs, and cultural stereotypes about motherhood and disseminating the results to relevant stakeholders.
Highlights
This arts-based research study explored the beyond_words phenomena for women transitioning to motherhood
In addition to the implosion of intrinsic bodily and emotional stimuli, new mothers are exposed to stereotypic images and narratives about motherhood in the media
The arts-based interpretations and representations of these phenomena provide a venue by which new mothers can understand and affirm their own experiences as well as to communicate and disseminate these insights to a larger social context to increase cultural empathy and understanding
Summary
This arts-based research study explored the beyond_words phenomena for women transitioning to motherhood. Beyond_words is defined as the aesthetic pre-verbal and preconscious phenomenon including sensory, embodied, emotional, and imaginal ways of knowing that women encounter when they become mothers. These multi-sensory, embodied, and emotional experiences permeate and powerfully influence the mother’s body and mind, impacting her perceptions of and relationships with her child and family. The arts-based interpretations and representations of these phenomena provide a venue by which new mothers can understand and affirm their own experiences as well as to communicate and disseminate these insights to a larger social context to increase cultural empathy and understanding
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