Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
Psychological Interventions Targeting Maternal Role Development and Identity in Perinatal Mental Health: A Systematic
Lorena Gutiérrez Hermoso1, Cecilia Peñacoba Puente1, Carmen Écija Gallardo1
1Department of Psychology, Faculty Health of Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28932 Madrid, Spain.
Psychological support programs can aid maternal role acquisition, enhancing maternal identity and well-being during the transition to motherhood. Further research is needed to confirm effectiveness and generalizability across diverse populations.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Maternal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Maternal identity development is crucial for a woman's transition to motherhood.
- Professional support during maternal role acquisition is vital for perinatal mental health and infant bonding.
- Understanding the impact of interventions on this transition is key for maternal and child well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize the effects of psychological support programs on maternal role acquisition.
- To analyze how these programs influence maternal identity, self-efficacy, and overall mental health during the perinatal period.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review with narrative synthesis of 11 experimental and quasi-experimental studies.
- Searched PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, and SCOPUS databases up to March 2025.
- Included studies focused on pregnant or postpartum women undergoing maternal role acquisition.
Main Results:
- Psychological support programs generally improved maternal identity, self-efficacy, and competence.
- Some studies indicated reductions in postnatal depressive symptoms and enhanced subjective well-being.
- Not all reported improvements reached statistical significance, and findings were primarily from Eastern cultural contexts.
Conclusions:
- Psychological support programs show promise for supporting maternal role acquisition and perinatal mental health.
- Evidence should be interpreted cautiously due to methodological limitations and heterogeneity, particularly regarding cultural generalizability.
- Further high-quality research is necessary to establish effectiveness and broader applicability.
More Related Videos
06:39Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
14:43A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Psychodynamic Therapy
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Relationship with Parents: Attachment