Mothers with mental health problems: a systematic review.
Nurs Health Sci. 2010 Dec;12(4):519-28
Authors: Blegen NE, Hummelvoll JK, Severinsson E
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.
PMID: 21210933 [PubMed – in process]