A recent study conducted by the University of Haifa by Ora Gazit under the supervision of Dr. Miri Scharf, looked at how personal experiences affected thoughts on relationships with a newborn.160 Jewish first time mothers were interviewed during their third trimester of pregnancy. There were two general factors focused on during the study. The first was how these women believed their personal relationship with parents would affect their ability to be parents. The second was how a drive for success as opposed to a drive to avoid failure affected impending motherhood.

For the women who recalled specific moments when relationships with their own parents were strained, feeling of high separation anxiety remained. In addition, there was the belief that their child would demand huge amounts of the new mom’s time and therefore require a need for a boundary setting style of parenting.

For the women who recalled a strained relationship but could not recall exact reasons why the parenting relationship was that way, a positive view of impending motherhood existed.

When the women were able to view their own childhood parental relationship as loving and nurturing, the expectations were the same for their relationship with the newborn child. Separation anxiety levels were low and positive outlooks for the parent-child relationship were high.

When the new moms held a desire to set and achieve goals, the impending relationship with the child was viewed in a favorable, healthy light. Expectations of motherhood ranged on the positive side of the spectrum. The others who focused on a drive to avoid failure reported feelings of uncertainty in terms of childrearing.

In conclusion, the study places an importance on shaping parental identity during pregnancy. If uneasiness is present, help can be sought before the newborn arrives into the world.

Source: University of Haifa