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Mothers with mental health problems: a systematic review
Author(s) -
Blegen Nina E.,
Hummelvoll Jan K.,
Severinsson Elisabeth
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2010.00550.x
Subject(s) - mental health , vulnerability (computing) , psychology , inclusion (mineral) , coping (psychology) , context (archaeology) , perspective (graphical) , developmental psychology , social psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , paleontology , computer security , artificial intelligence , computer science , biology
Mothers with mental health problems meet challenges in coping with their condition, the responsibility of child rearing, and fulfilling their role as a mother. The aim of this study was to create a synthesis of the previous research on mothers with mental health problems and the challenges they face. A systematic literature search of international databases was undertaken, covering the period between January 1998 and April 2009. Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria. The analysis process involved skimming, comprehending, analyzing, and synthesizing. Three themes emerged: the vulnerability of mothers with mental health problems, the fear of being perceived as not good enough as a mother, and concern that the children might develop mental health problems. In conclusion, the focus of the research field is shifting from viewing the mother's mental health problems from an individualistic perspective to considering them in a broader context of relational, economic, and environmental factors and on the basis of the mother–child relationship being characterized by interdependence.