Abstract

CHEMELLO, Mariana Reichelt; LEVANDOWSKI, Daniela Centenaro  and  DONELLI, Tagma Marina Schneider. Maternal anxiety and mother-child relationship: a qualitative study. Rev. SPAGESP [online]. 2021, vol.22, n.1, pp. 39-53. ISSN 1677-2970.

Maternal anxiety is an important topic of research regarding the mother-child relationship because this feeling can impact the mother and the baby's development. This qualitative study, of a multiple-case design, aimed to investigate maternal anxiety in mothers of babies aged between six and 10 months, trying to identify its impact on the mother-child dyad. The findings showed the occurrence of complications in pregnancy and the postpartum period and stressful events during these periods. In all analyzed cases, the presence of maternal anxiety during pregnancy and the newborn early care was verified. Feelings such as fear, anguish, doubts, and concerns, reported by mothers, triggered anxious behaviors, reflecting on the mother-baby relationship. From the reports of this study, the importance of support for the empowerment of mothers was observed, so that they can assume the maternal role with more confidence. It points out the need for intervention programs since pregnancy for the management of maternal anxiety, as well as health education practices aiming to promote maternal and child mental health.

Keywords : Anxiety; Maternal anxiety; Mother-child relationship.

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