Abstract
The aim of the present study was to gain an understanding of how vulnerable mothers with adverse childhood experiences transition towards motherhood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 15 vulnerable (young) mothers who were residing in a mother-baby home at the time of the study. By means of inductive thematic analyses, a number of themes were identified that characterized the transition to motherhood. The results showed that mothers experienced a number of adversities during childhood which made them aware early on what type of mother they wanted to be for their children. Because of medical complications or involvement of child protective services, the ability to take care and bond with the baby was sometimes delayed. Further, the arrival of the baby was often considered a turning point: to bring change to the life of the mother or a second chance to motherhood. Relationships with their own parents were generally strained and sometimes put on hold to protect oneself. The mothers also mentioned difficulties with accepting and asking for support, their outlook on social support was generally ambiguous. Clinical implications of the results are discussed in the light of traditional care and the theory on ambiguous loss.
Highlights
In the Netherlands, every year approximately 1700 children are born to vulnerable or young mothers
A number of related themes emerged which contributed to the transition to motherhood among which: making amends with one’s own adverse childhood experiences, the ability to give love and life to the baby, the birth of the baby as a turning point, re-evaluation of family and partner relationships, and ambiguous feelings towards support
The present qualitative study was conducted among 15 vulnerable mothers who were residing at the Babyhome at the time of the study
Summary
In the Netherlands, every year approximately 1700 children are born to vulnerable or young mothers. Vulnerable and young motherhood (under age 24) is characterized by an accumulation of risk factors among which: lower level of education, lower income or welfare dependency, lack of social support, inadequate parenting skills, parental stress, and parental mental health problems (Figueiredo, Bifulco, Pacheco, Costa, & Magarinho, 2006; Oudhof, Zoon, & Van Der Steege, 2013; Van Vugt, Loeber, & Pardini, 2016) This myriad of risk factors has typically been associated with the development of psychosocial problems in children, child maltreatment and child protection measures such as out-of-home placement (Lavergne et al, 2011; Mejdoubi et al, 2013). There is ample evidence that vulnerable (young) mothers, who have been maltreated themselves during childhood, have a three times greater chance of neglecting or abusing their own children (Assink et al, 2018)
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