Reduced Identification as a Mother Mediates the Effect of Prenatal Risk Factors on Mother and Infant Socio-Emotional Functioning

Tegan Cruwys*, Natalie Corkin, Dave S. Pasalich

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

To support good outcomes for mothers and babies, it is essential to understand the prenatal factors that place both at risk, such as birth trauma, the mother's attachment history, and unplanned motherhood. However, for health professionals supporting mothers, interventions must target malleable intervening factors. One of these, we propose, is social identification as a mother. Among women who had become mothers in past 12 months (N = 317), we assessed prenatal risk factors, social identification as a mother, and three socio-emotional outcomes: mother's depression, infant temperament, and mother-infant attachment. Consistent with hypotheses, all prenatal risk factors negatively predicted social identification as a mother, which was itself positively associated with socio-emotional functioning. Model fit was excellent. Reduced social identification as a mother may be a key mechanism through which prenatal risk factors produce poorer outcomes for mothers and babies. Interventions may be enhanced by supporting the development of strong and positive social identities.Over 300 mothers of infants less than 12 months old were surveyed.Prenatal risk factors predicted lower social identification as a mother.Social identification as a mother predicted higher mother and infant socio-emotional functioning.Interventions to support mothers' role and connection to one another may have untapped potential.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1198-1210
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Child and Family Studies
Volume33
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Reduced Identification as a Mother Mediates the Effect of Prenatal Risk Factors on Mother and Infant Socio-Emotional Functioning'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this