Mother’s experiences of shame and compassion in the early postnatal period: A thematic analysis

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q1 NURSING

Midwifery Pub Date : 2025-05-09 DOI:10.1016/j.midw.2025.104454

Julia Marsden , Koa Whittingham , Jenny Ziviani , Sophie O’Brien , Rebecca Redmond , Julie Jomeen , Pamela Meredith

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Mothers are less likely to seek support from maternity care providers who appear critical or judgmental. While compassion from providers can help mitigate the impact of shame, the experiences of shame within a mothers’ close support network remains unexplored.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to explore mothers’ experiences of shame and compassion within their support networks in the early postpartum period.

Methods

Fourteen mothers were recruited when their babies were approximately 3-months old from a larger Australian study on shame and compassion. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews was undertaken.

Findings

Six themes were identified by the authors: (1) unravelling judgment; (2) are you with me or against me?; (3) the voice of doubt: am I failing at this?; (4) when mothering ideals don’t work out: managing shame in your village; (5) finding the right kind of support; and (6) weaving kindness into your role as a mother. All mothers, regardless of who shamed them turned towards others who were sensitive, sympathetic, and empathic, to cope with the shame experience.

Discussion

Shame experiences can significantly influence mothers’ willingness to access support, impacting their mental health. Maternity care providers can play a critical role in recognising and addressing these dynamics to foster a more supportive environment.

Conclusion

Understanding the complexities of shame and compassion can guide providers in creating compassionate care strategies that better serve mothers during this vulnerable period.

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母亲产后早期的羞愧与同情经历：主题分析

背景母亲不太可能向那些表现出批评或评判的产科护理提供者寻求支持。虽然来自提供者的同情可以帮助减轻羞耻的影响，但在母亲的亲密支持网络中，羞耻的经历仍未得到探索。目的本研究旨在探讨产后早期母亲在其支持网络中的羞耻和同情体验。方法从澳大利亚一项关于羞耻和同情的大型研究中招募了14位母亲，当时她们的孩子大约3个月大。对半结构化访谈进行了专题分析。作者确定了六个主题：(1)解开判断；你是支持我还是反对我？(3)怀疑的声音：我失败了吗？(4)当母性理想不奏效时：在你的村子里管理羞耻；(5)寻找合适的支撑；(6)将善良融入你作为母亲的角色。所有的母亲，不管羞辱她们的人是谁，都转向那些敏感的、有同情心的、有同理心的人，以应对羞耻的经历。羞耻经历可以显著影响母亲寻求支持的意愿，影响她们的心理健康。产科护理提供者可以发挥关键作用，认识和解决这些动态，以促进一个更有利的环境。结论了解羞耻和同情的复杂性可以指导提供者制定同情心护理策略，更好地为这个脆弱时期的母亲服务。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Midwifery 医学-护理

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

7.40%

发文量

221

审稿时长

13.4 weeks

期刊介绍： Midwifery publishes the latest peer reviewed international research to inform the safety, quality, outcomes and experiences of pregnancy, birth and maternity care for childbearing women, their babies and families. The journal’s publications support midwives and maternity care providers to explore and develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes informed by best available evidence. Midwifery provides an international, interdisciplinary forum for the publication, dissemination and discussion of advances in evidence, controversies and current research, and promotes continuing education through publication of systematic and other scholarly reviews and updates. Midwifery articles cover the cultural, clinical, psycho-social, sociological, epidemiological, education, managerial, workforce, organizational and technological areas of practice in preconception, maternal and infant care. The journal welcomes the highest quality scholarly research that employs rigorous methodology. Midwifery is a leading international journal in midwifery and maternal health with a current impact factor of 1.861 (© Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports 2016) and employs a double-blind peer review process.