Trinko Victoria, Sarewitz Julia, Athan Aurelie
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, US.
Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol. 2025 Jul 2;11(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s40748-025-00203-0.
The transition to motherhood, known as matrescence and comparable to adolescence, involves significant changes across multiple life domains, impacting maternal identity and increasing the risk of psychopathology. Conventional maternal mental health interventions often emphasize crisis management over proactive resilience building. Psychoeducational programs designed to empower and support positive adaptation may offer a beneficial preventative approach. This pilot study evaluates the acceptability, relevance, and effectiveness of a matrescence-informed maternal health education program developed to enhance new mothers' understanding of the complex emotional and social challenges associated with the transition to motherhood.
This study evaluated a six-week, matrescence-informed maternal health education program delivered via Zoom. Eighteen participants (n = 18) attended weekly 75-minute sessions that included lectures, experiential exercises, and group discussions. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were administered to assess mindfulness, self-compassion, perceived stress, personal growth, and psychological well-being. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests to compare pre- and post-intervention scores, and qualitative responses were analyzed using thematic analysis to capture participant perceptions of the program's relevance and impact.
The pilot program demonstrated improvements in select psychological measures. While overall mindfulness scores did not change, increases were noted in the subscales of observing, non-judgment, and non-reactivity. Self-compassion scores increased, and participants reported gains in areas such as personal strength, relationships, and spiritual development. Perceived stress and psychological well-being remained unchanged, though environmental mastery showed improvement. Qualitative responses described challenges related to physical and emotional challenges as well as identity shifts. Participants assessed the program to be relevant and useful in addressing the challenges of motherhood and in enhancing their awareness of the concept of matrescence.
Positive participant feedback suggests that matrescence-informed education may offer benefits to new mothers' understanding of their developmental transition and should be disseminated more widely to improve their awareness and literacy. The small sample size highlights the need for larger-scale studies, including randomized controlled trials and longitudinal follow-ups, to evaluate the program's potential in mitigating the risk of poor maternal mental health outcomes. Efforts should be made to reduce barriers to matrescence education and make it affordable and accessible to all.
向母亲角色的转变，即母性觉醒，类似于青春期，涉及多个生活领域的重大变化，影响母亲身份认同，并增加精神病理学风险。传统的孕产妇心理健康干预措施通常更强调危机管理而非积极的复原力培养。旨在增强能力和支持积极适应的心理教育项目可能提供一种有益的预防方法。这项试点研究评估了一个基于母性觉醒理念开发的孕产妇健康教育项目的可接受性、相关性和有效性，该项目旨在增进新妈妈们对与向母亲角色转变相关的复杂情感和社会挑战的理解。
本研究评估了一个通过Zoom进行的为期六周、基于母性觉醒理念的孕产妇健康教育项目。18名参与者（n = 18）参加了每周75分钟的课程，课程包括讲座、体验式练习和小组讨论。在干预前后进行了调查，以评估正念、自我同情、感知压力、个人成长和心理健康状况。定量数据使用配对t检验进行分析，以比较干预前后的得分，定性回答使用主题分析进行分析，以了解参与者对该项目相关性和影响的看法。
该试点项目在某些心理指标上有所改善。虽然整体正念得分没有变化，但在观察、非评判和非反应性子量表上有所提高。自我同情得分增加，参与者报告在个人力量、人际关系和精神发展等方面有所收获。感知压力和心理健康状况保持不变，不过环境掌控能力有所改善。定性回答描述了与身体和情感挑战以及身份转变相关的问题。参与者认为该项目与应对母亲角色的挑战相关且有用，并提高了他们对母性觉醒概念的认识。
参与者的积极反馈表明，基于母性觉醒理念的教育可能有助于新妈妈们理解她们的发展转变，应更广泛地传播以提高她们的认识和素养。样本量小突出了进行更大规模研究的必要性，包括随机对照试验和纵向随访，以评估该项目在降低孕产妇心理健康不良后果风险方面的潜力。应努力减少母性觉醒教育的障碍，使其对所有人来说都负担得起且易于获得。
