Psy. D., Antioch University, 2016, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology

History has shown, time and again, that parenting practices in America change in the face of important social, political, cultural and ideological transitions. Such influences are often concealed, but nonetheless greatly impact not only the way mothers parent their children but also how they think of themselves in their mothering role. Historical and feminist scholars have helped to elucidate how broad historical legacies and current ideologies, such as patriarchy, capitalism, neoliberalism, and feminism itself, continue to shape dominant discursive understandings about motherhood. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, eight first time mothers from mostly white, middle class, educated and full time working lifestyles were interviewed to explore their experiences with developing a parenting practice, particularly in the face of numerous saturated cultural influences. Results revealed that participants were most likely to seek advice from close trusted peers, they were unlikely to seek or receive advice from their own parents, they tended to only trust the advice of patient-centered healthcare professionals, and their experiences and understandings of mothering were implicitly shaped by the forces of patriarchy, neoliberalism, and scientism, as well as their own intuitive maternal thinking. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA, http://aura.antioch.edu/ and Ohio Link ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu/etd

Committee: Suzanne Engelberg Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Dana Waters Psy.D. (Committee Member); Andrea O'Reilly Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Gender Studies; Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 1992, Psychology

The present study examines the impact of a supportive intervention during labor and delivery on the psychological adaptation of new mothers. Prior studies documented that the presence of a supportive female labor companion – a “doula” – during labor and delivery resulted in significant decreases in labor length, cesarean deliveries, and perinatal complications. The present study, which is part of a larger, ongoing project designed to refine and extend prior research, addresses prior design limitations by including both lower and middle SES subjects and their labor partners and by assessing psychosocial variables within a prospective, longitudinal framework. The effects of doula support on three areas of maternal postpartum psychological adjustment were examined: depressed mood, self-evaluation regarding maternal role, and marital/relationship satisfaction. It was hypothesized that the doula intervention would be most beneficial to those mothers who were most lacking in two resources which are salient in the transition to motherhood and which reflect key functions of the doula; perceived social support and positive relationship with mother. Subjects included 188 women (127 middle SES, 61 low SES) who were recruit ed during their third trimester of pregnancy, administered prenatal questionnaires, and then randomly assigned to experimental or control group status. Control group subjects received routine obstetric care while subjects in the experimental group had the additional support of a doula who remained with them throughout labor and delivery. Outcome measures were assessed at 8-10 weeks postpartum. Contrary to prediction, the doula intervention did not have significant main effects on postpartum psychological adaptation independent of level of prenatal resources. However, as predicted, interactions between experimental group status and prenatal resources contributed significantly to the prediction of postpartum depressed mood and self-evaluations (though not rela (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dennis Drotar (Advisor) Subjects:

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2012, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

In the last four decades, the numbers of women in the United States who wait to have children have grown dramatically. In a series of four essays, first-time older motherhood is examined against the contemporary cultural backdrop, exploring its complexities, unique aspects, and implications. These essays are intended to throw light onto a psychologically complex experience, and growing phenomenon, through the lens of the first-time older mother; this perspective have been largely unexamined in the research literature. Previous research has focused on the reasons why mothers delay having children, the medical aspects involved in later motherhood, and the psychological aspects of pregnancy for older women. In comparison, a relatively small number of studies have focused on the psychological aspects of older first-time motherhood. Throughout these essays, the psychological experience of older first-time mothers is explored, the impact of sociocultural factors on this experience is considered, and the particular challenges these mothers face are unpacked. The first essay considers the phenomenon of becoming a mother later in life, reflecting on statistics, demographics, and reviewing the literature. The second essay examines how these mothers are sold fear and the psychological effect of the “dangerization” of childhood. The myths and dominant cultural narratives that surround motherhood- both the historic legacy and current discourse- are explored in the third essay and consideration is given to their meaning for the older first-time mother. The fourth essay explores the notion of ambivalence in new older motherhood. The project concludes with a reflection on the clinical and psychological implications for health and mental health providers, and a discussion of areas for future inquiry, exploration, and study.

Committee: Martha B. Straus PhD (Committee Chair); Amanda Houle PsyD (Committee Member); Colborn Smith PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology