MOTHERS’ EXPERIENCES OF MOTHER‐INFANT PSYCHOANALYTIC TREATMENT—A QUALITATIVE STUDY

• Published in: Infant mental health journal 2017-07, Vol.38 (4), p.486-498
• Main Authors: Winberg Salomonsson, Majlis, Barimani, Mia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; analyse thématique K; análisis temáticos; Childrens health; entretiens de la mère; entrevistas a la madre; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Interviews mit Müttern; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Middle Aged; mother interviews; Mother-Child Relations - psychology; Mothers; Mothers - psychology; mother‐infant psychotherapy; Mutter‐Säuglings‐Psychotherapie; Psychoanalysis; Psychoanalysis - methods; psychothérapie mère‐bébé; Qualitative Research; sicoterapia madre‐infante; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Stress, Psychological - therapy; thematic analysis; thematische Analyse; Well being; 主題分析; 專題分析; 母–乳幼児精神療法; 母嬰心理治療; 母親訪談; 母親面接
• ISSN: 0163-9641; 1097-0355; 1097-0355
• DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21649

ABSTRACT As part of a larger research project in Sweden, a qualitative study investigated mother‐infant psychoanalysis (MIP). Earlier, a randomized controlled trial compared two mother‐infant groups. One received MIP, and the other received standard child health center care. Previous articles have reported long‐term effects: MIP‐group mothers were less depressed throughout a 3‐year posttreatment period, and their children demonstrated better global functioning and psychological well‐being (Winberg Salomonsson, Sorjonen, & Salomonsson, ). The present study's objectives were to describe the mothers’ experiences of MIP and deepen the understanding of the MIP process. Six months after treatment started, all mothers were interviewed. Transcribed interviews of 10 (of 33) MIP‐group participants were randomly selected and analyzed in detail. Thematic analysis was used on the interview data. Two main themes emerged: (a) transition to motherhood and (b) relationships with the infant and family. MIP facilitated mother‐infant relationship development and familial relationship development and clarified mothers’ views of how their personal histories were connected with their motherhood experiences. Mothers reported that the analysts had succeeded in balancing the mothers’ own needs and those of the infant. Their accounts of therapy matched the published descriptions of MIP. RESUMEN Como parte de un proyecto de investigación mayor en Suecia, un estudio cualitativo investigó el sicoanálisis madre‐infante (MIP). Primero, un ensayo controlado al azar comparó dos grupos de madre‐infante. Uno recibió MIP y el otro recibió el cuidado estándar del centro de salud infantil (CHCC). Artículos anteriores reportaron efectos a largo plazo: las madres del grupo MIP eran menos depresivas a lo largo de un período de 3.5 años de post‐tratamiento, y sus niños demostraron mejor funcionamiento global y bienestar sicológico. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron describir las experiencias de las madres del MIP y hacer más profundo el conocimiento del proceso MIP. Método: seis meses después que comenzó el tratamiento, todas las madres fueron entrevistadas. Las transcritas entrevistas de 10 de las participantes del grupo MIP (de un total de 33) fueron seleccionadas al azar y analizadas en detalle. Se usó un análisis temático de los datos de las entrevistas. Resultados: surgieron dos temas principales: (i) la transición a la maternidad y (ii) las relaciones con sus infantes y la familia. Co