Lee Megan F, Muldoon Jodie, Grant Riven, McAuley Sofia, Bolton Kathryn, Allan Michayla, Burke Karena J
Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Health Promot J Austr. 2025 Apr;36(2):e70034. doi: 10.1002/hpja.70034.
The postpartum period can be a wonderful time for women as they embark on motherhood. However, this time is not without its surprises and challenges as new mothers support the life of another and navigate the physical and psychological changes they experience. This transformation period can often negatively impact body image and self-esteem, which can lead to further adverse health outcomes for mothers and children.
This research employs a qualitative design of semi-structured interviews with 20 Australian mothers with at least one child under four.
Using reflexive thematic analysis, our study identified three key themes: (i) navigating expectation vs experience: Physical and psychological transformations in the postpartum, (ii) navigating body image in a socially influenced world, and (iii) navigating well-being in a busy world: Balancing self-care and external demands.
The results highlight the influence of societal thin ideals on mothers' eating attitudes, the crucial role of support networks serving as protective factors against body image concerns, and the need for enhanced education and preparation to guide women through this transformative period. SO WHAT?: The findings shed light on the lived experiences of postpartum women, providing valuable insights into the complex interplay of body image, eating attitudes, and self-care practices, sharing information for healthcare and support interventions, aiming to improve overall health and well-being for mothers.
产后时期对于初为人母的女性来说可能是一段美好的时光。然而，这段时间也并非没有惊喜和挑战，新妈妈们要照顾另一个生命，并应对自身经历的生理和心理变化。这个转变期常常会对身体形象和自尊产生负面影响，进而可能给母亲和孩子带来更多不良健康后果。
本研究采用定性设计，对20位育有至少一名4岁以下子女的澳大利亚母亲进行半结构化访谈。
通过反思性主题分析，我们的研究确定了三个关键主题：（i）应对期望与体验：产后的身体和心理转变；（ii）在受社会影响的世界中应对身体形象；（iii）在忙碌的世界中应对幸福感：平衡自我照顾和外部需求。
研究结果凸显了社会对瘦的理想标准对母亲饮食态度的影响、支持网络作为防止身体形象问题的保护因素的关键作用，以及加强教育和准备以引导女性度过这一转变期的必要性。那又如何？：这些发现揭示了产后女性的生活经历，为身体形象、饮食态度和自我照顾行为之间的复杂相互作用提供了宝贵见解，为医疗保健和支持干预措施提供了信息，旨在改善母亲的整体健康和幸福感。
