Reframing Motherhood
Becoming a mother ushers in great change to daily routines, sense of identity, relationships and priorities. Many mothers find themselves holding two versions of themselves at once: who they were before the baby and who they are becoming as a mother. This transition has a name: matrescence- the developmental process of becoming a mother. The journey through matrescence involves holding both identities at once before weaving them together into a new and integrated sense of self.
The arrival of an infant sparks a period of profound physical, emotional, and social change. Matrescence uniquely views motherhood as a role one develops into and is influenced by individuals physical, emotional, and social contexts. Challenges experienced in any one of these domains can place mothers at higher risk of developing or worsening postpartum depressive symptoms. These symptoms can significantly affect a mother's ability to participate in meaningful mother-infant interactions (co-occupations) necessary for survival, development, and bonding.
From Intensive Mothering to Matrescence
Matrescence reflects the complex and unique internal experience of becoming a mother. In contrast, predominant Western ideologies of motherhood have given rise to the concept of"intensive mothering". This model of motherhood is productivity dominant and child-centered. While centering the child may sound ideal, emerging research notes that approaches that also prioritize parent's wellbeing are linked to healthier adjustment, improved parent-infant interactions, and reduced postpartum depressive symptoms.
Expectations under intensive mothering leaves little space for mothers to rest, recover, and offer themselves empathy when facing challenges. Reframing motherhood through the lens of matrescence allows space for growth, struggle, and support, rather than expectations of perfection.
How Does Occupational Therapy Fit?
Occupational therapy (OT) can help support individuals during this developmental transition. Occupational therapists already assist with many aspects of maternal health including managing daily routines, promoting physical recovery, and increasing participation in meaningful family activities.
Through the lens of matrescence, OT can help mothers navigate shifting identities, adjust to roles, rebuild daily routines, and develop confidence in mothering tasks. When mothers engage in parenting occupations in a way that feels supported, safe, and sustainable, they lower their risk for developing or worsening postpartum depressive symptoms leading to improved well-being for both mother and infant.
The Lotus Model of Matrescence in Occupational Therapy
Figure 1: This conceptual model helps depict matrescence as a dynamic and developmental process that occurs across contextual conditions. Contextual conditions: This panel depicts a lotus flower which represents an individual's maternal transition. The lotus flower is rooted in physical, emotional, and social contexts. Occupational therapy interventions represent the water surrounding and nourishing the lotus roots and promoting overall growth of the lotus flower. Role Transition and Identity Shift: This central panel illustrates the process of the occupation-based adjustment that mothers undergo with supported matrescence. When mothers are supported in their physical, emotional, and social contexts they can begin to integrate their identity as a new mother and who they were before, improve their sense of self-efficacy and self-image, and utilize adaptive coping strategies in times of struggle. Integration and Growth: The final panel represents integration and growth characterized by integrated maternal identity, confidence and engagement in parenting activities, improved mother-infant health and bonding outcomes.
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