A Phenomenological Exploration of Women's Experiences of Matrescence: Implications for Identity Development

Matrescence is the term used to refer to the developmental process of becoming a mother, encompassing conception through to the postpartum period. This vulnerable period involves profound neurological restructuring driven by hormonal and environmental changes. Despite the high rates of maternal mental illness, the socioemotional developments that accompany this neurological restructuring remain under researched. To better understand the social experience of matrescence, this study investigated how women experience the transition into motherhood, exploring the topics of body autonomy, social expectations, mental health, and identity development. Interviews with six postpartum women revealed how the experience reduced personal autonomy in motherhood, alongside the necessary cognitive adjustment, functioned as a key mechanism driving maternal identity transformation. The findings of this study provide critical context for understanding how neuroplasticity observed in matrescence can be expressed in real-time. The analysis also illuminated how social support functions as a crucial buffer against emotional distress for new mothers, providing insight into potential strategies to support new mothers. This study underscores the importance of further research into maternal identity transformation and the role of social support in facilitating this transition.