Mothers Face Research Articles

Mothers’ perceptions of barriers and opportunities for health-promoting lifestyle one year postpartum

Abstract Background Pregnancy is often seen as an opportunity for women to transition to a health-promoting lifestyle but maintaining healthy habits can be challenging in the postpartum period. This study aims to explore women's experiences with lifestyle changes related to diet, physical activity, mental health, and social health one year after delivery. Methods Semi-structured face-to-face interviews with women one year postpartum (n = 24; mean age 33.58 ± 0.88; mean BMI (kg/m2) 23.18 ± 3.09) recruited through a longitudinal study in Austria were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was used to analyze the data. Results Five overarching themes related to the research question emerged, including ‘social relationships and partnership,’ ‘responsibilities, stressors, and time,’ ‘diet, exercise, and sleep patterns,’ ‘mental illness,’ and ‘family and external support.’ Women's views on lifestyle changes reflect the diversity of different personalities and life circumstances. However, the results suggest that women find it difficult to transfer their good intentions from pregnancy to postpartum behavior, regardless of their initial motivation. Conclusions This study highlights the need for individualized health supports that provide flexibility, such as telehealth, to address nutrition, psychological and physiological changes, feelings of distress, and lack of support. Health professionals and support systems can provide targeted, evidence-based interventions and support for this population by understanding how the transition to motherhood affects mothers’ lifestyles and health habits. Overall, the study provides valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities that mothers face postpartum and can inform the development of evidence-based interventions to promote their health and well-being. Key messages • There is a need for individualized health support (e.g. telehealth) that provides flexibility in the postpartum period for maintaining a health-promoting lifestyle. • Understanding postpartum transition enables health professionals and support systems to provide evidence-based interventions for maternal well-being.

Motherhood Experiences of Incarcerated Pregnant Women: A Phenomenological Study.

Motherhood in prison is a topic of growing importance and concern in the field of criminal justice. Incarcerated mothers face unique challenges that can have profound psychological impacts. The purpose of this study was to gain a deep understanding of pregnant prisoners' lived experiences of motherhood. This qualitative research was carried out using descriptive-interpretive phenomenology via interviews with 11 pregnant or early postpartum women in prison. The participants were purposefully selected from incarcerated pregnant women in a prison in Iran from 2019 to 2021. The MAXQDA software version 10 was used for data analysis, using Van Manen's six-step phenomenological approach. The main theme of "living in a dichotomous world "consisting of two subthemes of "moving between unity and separation" and "being subject to ambiguity and uncertainty" emerged in this study. Motherhood in prison is just like living in a shaky and chaotic world, in which mothers are confused between reaching to and separating from their children. They are ambivalent about motherhood and experience mixed emotions of attachment and abandonment to their child and cannot be confident regarding the future of themselves and their children. Incarcerated mothers experience mixed emotions of attachment and abandonment towards their children, which leaves them uncertain about the future. It is recommended that security personnel of the prisons and families offer care and support to incarcerated mothers through constructive communications and empathy to enhance their well-being. It also seems crucial to adopt a community-centered approach that provides empathetic support and implements inclusive policies.

Adolescent Childbearing in India: Causes and Concerns

Globally, adolescent pregnancy is one of the key issues in women’s reproductive health. Adolescent mothers face a higher risk of obstetrical concerns, and motherhood in adolescence is strongly influenced by lower education level and lower socioeconomic status. The present study was carried out across all Indian states and Union Territories using the National Family Health Survey, rounds 1 to 5 (1992–1993 to 2019–2021) in which various socioeconomic and cultural factors associated with adolescent pregnancies was examined in detail. The article uses univariate, bivariate with chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression models to understand the extent of which socioeconomic factors and sexual behavior of the couple are related to early motherhood experiences. It was found that age at marriage, respondent education, employment, age gap between partners, and religion are some of the important variables that affect the likelihood of adolescent pregnancy among females in Indian states. Comprehensive institutional efforts like free contraceptives and counseling services should be provided to address the increasing risk of pregnancy among adolescents.

THE INFLUENCE OF EDUCATION OF POSTPARTUM MOTHERS ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF POSTPARTUM RISK SIGNS

One of the critical periods associated with maternal mortality risk is the postpartum period. Hence, it is imperative to prioritize postnatal care as a means to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 30% of mothers face mortality risks during the puerperium. Unfortunately, many postpartum mothers are unaware of potential issues during this period, leading to delayed self-examinations with healthcare professionals. This lack of awareness stems from insufficient knowledge regarding the danger signs that may arise during the postpartum period. Previous study revealed that a significant number of mothers lack awareness about these danger signs during the puerperium. To enhance the knowledge of postpartum mothers, one effective approach is to provide education. This study aimed to investigate the impact of educational interventions on postpartum mothers' knowledge of danger signs during the postpartum period. The research employed a Quasi-Experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest design. The sample consisted of 30 postpartum mothers, and all participants completed the entire study. Data collection involved administering a questionnaire both before and after the educational intervention. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis, and the Wilcoxon test was utilized with a significance level set at α < 0.05. Statistical analysis yielded a p-value of 0.000 (α < 0.05), indicating a statistically significant effect of education on increasing postpartum mothers' knowledge of danger signs during the puerperal period.

Material hardship in the postpartum year: Links to child maltreatment

BackgroundMillions of mothers with young children in the U.S. struggle to afford basic needs. Material hardships such as inadequate food, housing, and medical care increase risk for child maltreatment as mothers face heightened physical and emotional strain. ObjectiveThe present study applied a person-centered approach to understand unique subtypes of material hardship experienced by at-risk mothers in the postpartum year, and links from hardship subtypes to subsequent child maltreatment. Participants and settingThe sample included at-risk mothers who gave birth in one of 20 large American cities 1998–2000 and retained custody of their children at age 1 and 3 (N = 3966). MethodLatent class analysis (LCA) identified subtypes of material hardship; mean maltreatment scores were estimated across classes. ResultsLCA identified four hardship subtypes with differential risks for maltreatment. Compared to “Stable” mothers, “Cost-Burdened” mothers – who displayed high levels of missed rent and utility payments – were significantly more likely to psychological abuse (χ2 = 5.04, p < 0.05) or neglect (χ2 = 4.46, p < 0.05) their children. “Severely Housing Insecure Mothers” – characterized by elevated rates of doubling up, eviction, and homelessness – were significantly more likely to engage in physical assault (χ2 = 16.25, p < 0.001), psychological aggression (χ2 = 11.15, p < 0.01), and neglect (χ2 = 17.55, p < 0.001). ConclusionsDifficulty maintaining stable and affordable housing is associated with elevated risk of child maltreatment. Efforts to prevent child maltreatment must incorporate access to housing screening and supports, particularly among families with infants.

Memaknai Wanita Karir Dalam Diri Ibu Tunggal Bekerja

This research aims to understand the experiences and meanings of the career women's role within themselves as single working mothers. Career women who are single mothers face unique challenges in juggling between their professional responsibilities and their role as single parents. This study focuses on their interpretations of this dual role and how it affects their identity as career women and single mothers. The research method used is a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews with a number of single mothers who also work. The collected data were analyzed using an interpretive approach to identify themes and patterns that emerged in their experiences and interpretations. The results of the study indicate that career women as single mothers experience complex struggles in fulfilling this dual role. They try to integrate the roles of being a mother and a worker by finding the right balance between these two responsibilities. Additionally, they also experience additional pressure and stress in facing social expectations that are often unrealistic. Their interpretations of this role are also related to their identity and self-esteem. Some respondents feel proud to fulfill both of these roles, while others feel burdened by the high demands. There are differences in how they integrate the identities of being a career woman and a single mother, with some respondents emphasizing one role more than the other. This research provides deeper insights into the experiences and meanings of career women as single working mothers. The findings of this study can be useful in the development of policies and programs that support women in fulfilling this dual role more effectively. Additionally, this research can serve as a basis for further studies in this domain that can provide more detailed information about the challenges and strategies that can help career women as single working mothers.&#x0D; Keywords: Career women, single mother, dual roles

The Maternal Guilt of Working Latina Mothers: A Qualitative Study

There is a lack of research on the maternal guilt of working Latina mothers. A grounded theory methodology study on this topic was conducted with 12 Latina mothers in the South Central region of the United States. Data analysis revealed five themes: the Compensatory Parenting Trap (parenting behaviors that attempt to make up for the absence of mothers by indulging their children in ways that violate cultural norms), Proximity Desire (a yearning to be physically close in location to one’s children to compensate for guilt from separation), Ultimate Caregiver Comparison (the deifying of past generations of self-sacrificing family members as superior mothers against whom Latina mothers deem themselves failures), Familismo Paradox (the attempt to honor conflicting cultural norms to be a self-sacrificing mother who is also educated and financially secure), and Redefining Cultural Norms (reaction to the violation of cultural norms among working Latina mothers that involves expanding cultural expectations of gender in parenting). Results indicated that working Latina mothers face double binds in gender and cultural expectations that contribute to feelings of maternal guilt, as reflected in the above themes. Latina mothers demonstrate resilience in responding to this tension by restructuring cultural norms to alleviate guilt and protect their children from inheriting the same stressors.

Client-centered counseling and facilitation in improving modern contraceptive uptake in urban slum of Karachi Pakistan.

Population growth in Pakistan necessitates the implementation of comprehensive family planning (FP) initiatives. The adoption of modern contraceptives, especially long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), and permanent family planning methods in the country is challenging and has yet to reach an optimal level. These challenges are deeply rooted in the lack of informed decision-making, as well as demographic and maternal obstetric history. Interventions tailored according to women's needs can address the challenges faced by FP programs. This paper presents the findings of the implementation of a client-centered counseling and facilitation approach in an urban slum in Karachi, Pakistan. Such an approach has the potential to inform women and help them make better decisions regarding their health. In Rehri Goth, a slum located in Karachi, client-centered counseling along with facilitation at the facility was implemented to encourage the adoption of any modern contraceptive methods, with a specific emphasis on promoting the use of LARCs and permanent methods (where needed) among married women of reproductive age (MWRA). This approach was integrated into the existing Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) services established in 2014. During the routine delivery of services, data were collected on various aspects including demographic characteristics, obstetric history, motivation to adopt LARCs, and reasons for refusal. A total of N = 3079 eligible MWRA received client-centered counseling, and 60.3% accepted modern contraceptive methods after counseling. Furthermore, 32.5% of these MWRA adopted LARCs or permanent methods. Factors explaining reluctance to adopt any method by MWRA despite specialized counselling were: age >25 years (AOR:1.28, 95% CI:1.08-1.51), no formal education (AOR:1.58, 95% CI:1.36-1.89), having no decision making role at household (AOR:1.60, 95% CI:1.36-1.89), the desire of female or male progeny (AOR:1.86, 95% CI:1.59-2.25) and age of youngest alive ≥3 years (AOR:1.50, 95% CI:1.22-1.84). Factors explaining adoption of short-term methods instead of LARCs or permanent method were: being resident in high under-five mortality clusters (AOR:1.56, 95% CI:1.14-2.14), maternal age > 25 years (AOR:1.88, 95% CI: 1.47-2.40), no decision-making role (AOR:11.19, 95% CI:8.74-14.34), no history of abortions (AOR:2.59, 95% CI:1.79-3.75), no female child (AOR:1.85, 95% CI:1.30-2.65) and ≤ 2 children (AOR:1.74, 95% CI:1.08-2.81). Considering the obstacles mothers face when it comes to accessing extended contraception, public health officials can devise effective strategies that empower MWRA to make well-informed and empowered choices regarding their families and reproductive health.

Adoption from the perspective of Iranian fertile mothers: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to explore the lived experience of fertile Iranian mothers who adopted children. In a qualitative phenomenological method, 13 participants were selected by purposive sampling and interviewed in depth. Data were analyzed by Colaizzi’s method. The results showed that although adoption was reported to be a positive experience for most mothers, it is still a kind of social stigma in Iran, and adoptive mothers face many challenges due to insufficient support and help from society and families. Also, the results will help professionals design pre-adoption interventions, prevent the termination of adoption, and help adoptive mothers solve their issues.

Infant feeding choices among Panamanian mothers: A qualitative study.

Infant and child nutrition practices are among the most critical determinants of infant health and breastfeeding is considered the gold standard of infant feeding. Despite extensive public health interventions to promote breastfeeding, its prevalence has decreased in recent years in Panama, particularly in urban settings. There has been a nearly 20% drop in breastfeeding in the 10 years leading to 2020. Current literature often fails to elucidate the factors underpinning Panamanian mothers' decision making in relation to breastfeeding. This article explores the experiences, views, and decision making related to infant feeding choices of mothers in Panama City. The study used a qualitative approach, involving online semistructured interviews with seven participants. Utilizing the socioecological model enabled an understanding of the influence of the various, nested levels of a mother's social environment on behaviors and practices. Five themes were developed following analysis: "practical, bodily, and emotional challenges"; "workplace influences"; "family and friends' support"; "the role of health care and healthcare professionals"; "the influence of social and cultural norms on decisions and practices." The main barrier to breastfeeding was the lack of family support, especially from grandmothers. In contrast, private lactation consultation and partners' support were perceived as the best approaches for breastfeeding success, suggesting an urgent need for publicly available lactation support. This study demonstrates the importance of understanding the complexity of the social norms surrounding infant feeding, showing the challenges that mothers face in this process, and sheds light on the (public) interventions necessary to improve breastfeeding initiation and continuation.

Mothers' Role in Rehabilitation of their Adventitious Visually Impaired Children: A Phenomenological Study

The study intended to search the role of mothers in rehabilitating their children with adventitious visual impairment. The design of the study was qualitative and exploratory. Mothers (N=15) of visually impaired children from various age groups were the sample of the study. A convenient sampling technique was used for sampling procedures. A self-developed semi-structured interview was the tool of this study. Instruments validity was confirmed through expert opinion (N=03). An extensive literature review guided the researcher towards the reliability of the instrument. A coding &amp; thematic analysis approach was done for Data analysis. Three major themes emerged from interview transcription including mother's understanding, problems of mothers, and educational support. The study's findings show that mothers remain worried about their children's future. Although, mothers face many difficulties in accepting the acquired blindness of children. This study recommends particular orientation &amp; training sessions for mothers of visually impaired children and adequate social support.

Exploring the Influence of Work-Family Balance and Burnout on Working Mothers' Character Building Efforts in a Post-Pandemic World

Even though the pandemic has ended, working mothers face challenges in achieving work-family balance so that children's character education goes well. This paper looks at the effect of Work-Family Balance (WFB) and burnout on working mothers in carrying out character education for children after the COVID-19 pandemic. The method used is a quantitative method with a survey design. Data was collected from distributing questionnaires on the Google form filled in by female lecturers at the Islamic University in Indonesia. The findings of this study indicate that there is an effect of WFB and burnout on post-pandemic children's character education. Female lecturers at Islamic universities can be categorized as working mothers who can achieve WFB and educate their children well so there are no born-outs. This research shows that even as working mothers, lecturers at an Islamic university can carry out their role in children's education well.

"We are invisible to them"-Identifying the most vulnerable groups in humanitarian crises during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of Rohingyas and the Host communities of Cox's Bazar.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on the Rohingya and the Bangladeshi host communities, which have been well documented in the literature. However, the specific groups of people rendered most vulnerable and marginalized during the pandemic have not been studied comprehensively. This paper draws on data to identify the most vulnerable groups of people within the Rohingya and the host communities of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study employed a systematic sequential method to identify the most vulnerable groups in the context of Rohingya and Host communities of Cox's Bazar. We conducted a rapid literature review (n = 14 articles) to list down Most vulnerable groups (MVGs) in the studied contexts during the COVID-19 pandemic and conducted four (04) group sessions with humanitarian providers and relevant stakeholders in a research design workshop to refine the list. We also conducted field visits to both communities and interviewed community people using In-depth interviews (n = 16), Key-informant Interviews (n = 8), and several informal discussions to identify the most vulnerable groups within them and their social drivers of vulnerabilities. Based on the feedback received from the community, we finalized our MVGs criteria. The data collection commenced from November 2020 to March 2021. Informed consent was sought from all participants, and ethical clearance for this study was obtained from the IRB of BRAC JPGSPH. The most vulnerable groups identified in this study were: single female household heads, pregnant and lactating mothers, persons with disability, older adults, and adolescents. Our analysis also found some factors that may determine the different levels of vulnerabilities and risks faced by some groups more than others in the Rohingya and host communities during the pandemic. Some of these factors include economic constraints, gender norms, food security, social safety-security, psychosocial well-being, access to healthcare services, mobility, dependency, and a sudden halt in education. One of the most significant impacts of COVID-19 was the loss of earning sources, especially for the already economically vulnerable; this had far-reaching consequences on individuals' food security and food consumption. Across the communities, it was found that the economically most affected group was single female household heads. The elderly and pregnant and lactating mothers face challenges seeking health services due to their restricted mobility and dependency on other family members. Persons living with disabilities from both contexts reported feelings of inadequacy in their families, exacerbated during the pandemic. Additionally, the shutdown in the formal education, and informal learning centres in both communities had the most significant impact on the adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown. This study identifies the most vulnerable groups and their vulnerabilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the Rohingya and Host communities of Cox's Bazar. The reasons behind their vulnerabilities are intersectional and represent deeply embedded patriarchal norms that exist in both communities. The findings are essential for the humanitarian aid agencies and policymakers for evidence-based decision-making and service provisions for addressing the vulnerabilities of the most vulnerable groups.

SCHOOL CRIBS A Phenomenological Examination of the Challenges Single Student Mothers Experience to Manage Their Dual Roles

The phenomenological experiences of five single mother students at a university in Negros Occidental, Philippines, are the basis for this qualitative study. They were chosen based on the inclusion requirements (a) that they are ordinary college students enrolled in a university, (b) they were at least 18 years old when they gave birth, and (c) that no nanny was caring for the child (d) has at least one child. In gathering information, semi-structured interviews were done. The obstacles these young single mothers face while they pursue their higher education are examined in this study. Lichtman's' thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results revealed four themes: the need for extra time to balance studying and parenting, uncertainty, failure to meet academic obligations, and the benefits of being a mother and a student. Therefore, it can be concluded that single student mothers with dual roles experienced many difficulties, including depression. The school should establish a support group for students juggling both roles to lessen feelings of loneliness and other anxiety.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Breastfeeding Migrant Mothers: A Scoping Review

Introduction:Breastfeeding is highly recommended to promote the physical and mental health of mothers and infants. Unfortunately, migrant mothers face many barriers to their breastfeeding practice and often suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to traumatic events during migration and their settlement in the host country. There is a lack of research on the interrelationship of breastfeeding, PTSD, and the migrant status of mothers. This review presents existing research in the field and provides recommendations to improve the breastfeeding practices of migrant women with PTSD.Methods:This scoping review was undertaken in consultation with the patient partners. After searching various databases, 116 articles were found. We reviewed and analyzed five articles that were relevant to migrant mothers, breastfeeding, and PTSD.Findings:Migrant mothers with PTSD face additional breastfeeding barriers in the host countries due to lack of support, pressure to assimilate, racial stigma, inequalities surrounding breastfeeding, lack of culturally sensitive care, language barrier, misinformation, the norm of formula feeding, and stress. Some recommendations include psychosocial interventions, creating private areas to breastfeed in public, reducing pressure for new mothers to return to work, training healthcare workers to be culturally competent, addressing societal stigma, educating migrant mothers on breastfeeding, and offering social support. Also, healthcare workers should take a warm approach, conduct safety assessments, educate themselves on PTSD, notice nonverbal cues, and employ multidisciplinary professionals and interpreters.Conclusions:While research shows that culturally competent healthcare workers, support, and education can aid with PTSD and breastfeeding, future research is needed surrounding the interconnectedness of PTSD, breastfeeding, and migrant mothers. Research on this unique population will allow for better support. Future research should employ patient partners in the development of novel interventions for breastfeeding migrant mothers with PTSD.

D89. Utilizing the Mother Infant Lactation Questionnaire to Assess Breastfeeding Success after Benign Breast Surgery

PURPOSE: Little is known regarding the impact of breast surgery on future breastfeeding and lactation performance, and as such, surgeons may be reluctant to operate on young women. This novel pilot study aims to explore the impact of benign breast surgery on breastfeeding performance, breastfeeding challenges, and mothers’ perspectives of their own breastfeeding experience. METHODS: A cohort of adult mothers who were 6 months to 5 years postpartum, with and without a prior history of breast surgery, completed the Mother Infant Lactation Questionnaire (MILQ). RESULTS: The questionnaire was piloted in a sample of 258 mothers, with a mean age of 34 years. Forty-one mothers underwent prior benign breast surgery: reduction (17), augmentation (12), biopsy (10), and excision (4). Although 96% of respondents attempted to breastfeed, only 55% and 60% of mothers with and without a prior history of breast surgery, respectively, were able to nourish their child through breastmilk alone (p = 0.09). Roughly one-third of mothers reported moderate to extreme difficulty while breastfeeding regardless of breast surgery status (p = 0.78). The most common physical barriers were consistent across breast surgery status, including breast and nipple tenderness (64%), nipple chaffing, cracking, or bleeding (45%), and mastitis (30%; p > 0.05, all). CONCLUSION: The preliminary results of this pilot study suggest that although many mothers face breastfeeding challenges, undergoing prior benign breast surgery does not significantly impact patients’ future breastfeeding and lactation performance. Concern for future breastfeeding and lactation impairment should not prevent surgeons from providing surgery for younger patients.

Reassessing measures of risk for homelessness among families with children in New York City

This study reassessed risks that researchers have identified as predicting homelessness among families in New York City. These risks form the basis of a screening tool called the Risk Assessment Questionnaire (RAQ). It is used by NYC's homelessness prevention program, Homebase, to determine services to provide families. An RAQ score of 7 or above, on a 25-point scale, indicates high risk and greater service needs. This study's logistic regression model identified five indicators that increased odds of shelter entry among 9630 Homebase family clients from 2016 to 2019 (12 % entered shelters): having a child less than two years old; discord with one's landlords; being in an institution, or shelter, recently; and having been in a shelter as an adult; or as a child. This study also identified combinations of client risks, using Latent Class Analysis. Two groups most likely to enter shelters (7.5 % of the sample) also had the highest rates of experiences in institutions or shelters and moving frequently, with one of these registering the highest rate of childhood trauma. This study recommends implementing a state program that covers childcare costs for vulnerable families, which could address risks that children of single mothers face to future instability.

Korean mothers' career aspirations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal qualitative study.

Working mothers face challenges in pursuing their career aspirations due to work-family conflict. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has posed added challenges for working mothers by increasing care demands while also causing numerous health, economic and social disruptions. In this paper, we examine the impact of COVID-19 on Korean working mothers' career aspirations. We employ a longitudinal qualitative design by analysing 64 in-depth interviews with 32 mothers of young children in South Korea. By interviewing the same women before (2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), we are able to document how working mothers' career aspirations were impacted by COVID-19. Findings show that all working mothers in the sample experienced increased care demands due to COVID-19. However, the influence of COVID-19 on working mothers' career aspirations hinged on gendered beliefs related to childcare responsibility. When working mothers believed or were subjected to beliefs that mothers should be the primary caregiver for children (gendered care belief), their career aspirations were tempered or relinquished. On the other hand, those who believed that mothers should not be held solely responsible for childcare (gender egalitarian care belief) continued to pursue their career aspirations or experienced career advancements during COVID-19. Findings suggest that beliefs related to care responsibilities play an important role in working mothers' pursuit of their career aspirations, and potentially their future careers.

Strategic mothering in a hostile environment: how hostile immigration policies shape mothering, belonging and citizenship in the UK

ABSTRACT Immigration and citizenship policies in the UK have long been experienced as hostile and restrictive, particularly by groups who are racially minoritized. Since 2012, “Hostile Environment” policies have further restricted access to residency rights and citizenship status, generating legal and financial precarity for many families. Whilst research on state bordering practices is growing, little is known about their impact on mothering. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in a London neighbourhood, I show that hostile policies marginalize mothers with insecure immigration statuses and constrain experiences of mothering. Mothers face challenges and relational tensions which play out in ways specific to their structural positioning. I argue that mothers undertake strategic mothering work to address these tensions, enacting relational belonging and citizenship as mothers, for themselves and their children. This article contributes to sociological understandings of strategic mothering as a form of relational belonging and active citizenship in the context of hostile policies.

Engaged learning during distraction: a case study of successful working moms in distance education.

Adult learners are a significant proportion of distance learners and many of these students are working mothers. Several instructional design models center the learner, and this requires understanding the learner needs, strengths, and context. There is a gap in the literature describing the experience of modern working mother students in distance education. To understand this experience, the researchers interviewed and observed six academically high-achieving working mother students as they participated in their distance education courses during the pandemic. A discourse analysis approach was utilized to analyze the data. This extreme sample revealed several strategies that these students used to be successful despite their challenges. The findings suggest that understanding the experiences of distance learners as they study in the home are important for effective course design. More specifically, working mothers face significant distractions in their study environments, but the cognitive load can be reduced by making use of their prior knowledge, scaffolding instruction, and encouraging social presence. Additional strategies from the literature that address these constructs are provided for instructors and instructional designers.