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Background <p>Mental health problems are highly relevant for motherhood. Internalized norms and ideals can influence the experience of and adaptation to motherhood. A&#xa0;predominant ideal in western societies, the “intensive mothering” (IM), is associated with high demands on the maternal role.</p> Objective <p>Previously investigated associations between IM, maternal emotional experience and mental health are presented.</p> Method <p>This scoping review included articles published in scientific journals since 1996 in German and English language, surveying mothers in the context of IM and with respect to maternal emotional experience and mental health.</p> Results <p>The analysis included 16 qualitative and 15 quantitative studies. In the former, mothers revealed unfulfilled ideal conceptions as influencing factors for feelings of shame, guilt and symptoms of depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Invalidating reactions from the environment and social comparison could intensify feelings of insufficiency. The latter showed heterogeneous associations between IM and mental health. Some studies indicated that these associations might be mediated or influenced by feelings of shame and guilt as well as by fear of a negative evaluation.</p> Discussion <p>Idealized conceptions in the sense of IM and especially a&#xa0;discrepancy between expectations and the reality experienced as a&#xa0;mother can influence the emotional experience and increase mental burdens. Addressing ideals of motherhood and their consequences in the treatment of (expectant) mothers at an early stage can be supportive during the transition to motherhood.</p>

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Zwischen Ideal und Realität: intensivierte Mutterschaft, emotionales Erleben und psychische Belastungen von Müttern

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月11日

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  • Ariane Göbel,
  • Liz Neubüser,
  • Iris Stahlke,
  • Carola Bindt

摘要

Background

Mental health problems are highly relevant for motherhood. Internalized norms and ideals can influence the experience of and adaptation to motherhood. A predominant ideal in western societies, the “intensive mothering” (IM), is associated with high demands on the maternal role.

Objective

Previously investigated associations between IM, maternal emotional experience and mental health are presented.

Method

This scoping review included articles published in scientific journals since 1996 in German and English language, surveying mothers in the context of IM and with respect to maternal emotional experience and mental health.

Results

The analysis included 16 qualitative and 15 quantitative studies. In the former, mothers revealed unfulfilled ideal conceptions as influencing factors for feelings of shame, guilt and symptoms of depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Invalidating reactions from the environment and social comparison could intensify feelings of insufficiency. The latter showed heterogeneous associations between IM and mental health. Some studies indicated that these associations might be mediated or influenced by feelings of shame and guilt as well as by fear of a negative evaluation.

Discussion

Idealized conceptions in the sense of IM and especially a discrepancy between expectations and the reality experienced as a mother can influence the emotional experience and increase mental burdens. Addressing ideals of motherhood and their consequences in the treatment of (expectant) mothers at an early stage can be supportive during the transition to motherhood.