How Positive Psychology Interventions Can Aid in Navigating Identity Shifts During Matrescence
The role of positive psychology interventions are not adequately assessed as a potential aid in the hallmark process of shifting identities during matrescence. This paper examines if positive psychology strategies have the potential to assist new mothers in navigating and embracing identity shifts throughout the perinatal period. In reviewing literature on the psychological aspects of shifting identity in matrescene, strengths-based interventions, and the broaden-and-build theory, this paper seeks to provide insight on whether positive psychology theories and their applications can assist in creating a more optimal psychological environment throughout the process of becoming a mother.
Similar to any other developmental push, throughout matrescence mothers experience an acceleration in multiple domains: bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual (Athan & Reel, 2015) which serves as a catalyst for a shift in their identity. Van Gennep refers to this identity shift as a rite of passage in which a woman undergoes phases of separation, marginality and reincorporation during pregnancy as she exchanges one social status for another (Winson, 2017, p. 144). Rubin describes this evolution of identity as a process that involves examining self-image, undergoing mimicry, roleplay, and fantasy to then introject, project and reject external methods of motherhood. Rubin’s theory posits that “when these decisions have been made, the woman can be said to have identified with the role that she had previously been mimicking.” (Winson, 2017, p. 145).
Understanding the development of a mother’s identity in matrescence is critical because it not only impacts her, but also her early relationship with her child. Rogan highlights the potential downside of this phenomenon during the perinatal period, “when feeling overwhelmed, unprepared, and unsure of their identity, women become drained and experience strong senses of loss and aloneness.” (Rogan et al., 1997, p. 883). Further, Rubin’s theory explains that the process of taking on the identity of a mother is not complete without a period of grief and letting go of former identity (Winson, 2017, pp. 144-146). Rubin proposes that if there is not some degree of resolution of the two lifestyles, then there is marked depression in role taking. Valentine stipulates that the four developmental tasks that her research presents as commonly occuring during pregnancy must be mastered, otherwise postpartum adjustment and parenting abilities are negatively impacted (Valentine, 1982).
Given the common experience of shifting identity in the perinatal period and the potential negative implications on the early mother-child relationship, it's imperative to consider how positive psychology interventions might aid in this potent transition. Strengths-based interventions hold the potential to assist new mothers in reconciling this shift in identity and to build trust in themselves in their new role as mothers. By employing the Aware-Explore-Apply model, new mothers have the potential to become aware of their signature strengths, to explore how they might tap into these strengths to create a best possible future, and apply a plan to improve a particular strength or set of strengths in the context of their new identities (Niemiec, 2013, p. 19).
The three-step, strengths-based intervention process of the Aware-Explore-Apply model allows mothers to reconnect with the core identity that they held prior to the perinatal period by recognizing and activating their signature strengths. Thus, there is a potential to create a thread through the new mother’s shifting identity which can alleviate the disorienting nature of the rapid change that they are experiencing. Furthermore, they can then activate these strengths in their roles as new mothers for both their own benefit and that of their newborn. Indeed, finding new and unique ways to use signature strengths is an effective intervention (Niemiec, 2013, p. 20) that has been proven to increase happiness and decrease depressive symptoms for a 6-month period (Seligman et al., 2005, p. 416). Therefore, strengths-based interventions have the potential to satiate the need for a resolution of the two lifestyles that Rubin posits as necessary in avoiding a marked depression in role taking (Valentine, 1982).
Beyond employing strengths-based interventions, the application of the broaden-and-build theory has the potential to assist new mothers in cultivating much needed inner resources to navigate their shifting identity landscape. According to the broaden-and-build theory, recurrent experiences of positive emotions allow people to build consequential personal resources that make their lives more fulfilling (Fredrickson, 2013, p. 2). The broaden and build theory posits that negative emotions can carry adaptive significance in the short-term while positive emotions carry adaptive significance in the long-term. Thus, both negative and positive emotions are validated and have their uses in cultivating well-being. Although the specific positivity ratio itself is still disputed, the negativity bias exemplifies the importance of experiencing more positive relative to negative emotions in pursuing well-being and a flourishing life (Fredrickson, 2013).
Most interestingly, Fredrickson’s research found that positive emotions, and not life satisfaction, predict a change in resources (Fredrickson et al., 2008, p. 18). This encouraging finding provides a pathway for new mothers to cultivate greater life satisfaction by building resources based on them experiencing consistent positive emotions. Rather than relying on life satisfaction to stabilize or increase just by the nature of already being satisfied, Fredrickson provides an actionable path forward for perinatal mothers to live successfully in their new role and identity.
There are many pathways to experience consistent positive emotions including but not limited to the loving-kindness meditation utilized in Fredrickson’s study (Fredrickson et al., 2008), the cultivation of a daily gratitude practice, and parental attunement with a newborn baby. Generating gratitude through cognitive means such as reflection, expressive means such as journaling, and sharing gratitude with others, serves to positively alter the biochemistry and neural pathways in the brain spurred by consistent shifts in perception, expectations and experience (Tomasulo, 2020, pp. 21–28). Thus, engaging in a daily gratitude practice can ground perinatal mothers in their new identity and serve as a resolution of their previous lifestyle with their new experience as mothers. Separately, when parents interact affectionately with their newborn the neuropeptide oxytocin is released which then stimulates the production of dopamine in the ventral tegmental area of the brain. This acts as a maternal motivation system that encourages a “maximal state of responsiveness” and heightens attunement between the mother and baby, driving the experience of positive emotions and greater maternal care (Conaboy, 2022). Therefore, the practice of attunement has the potential to provide a pathway for mothers to build resources based on the experience of a consistent surge of positive emotions that are directly related to their new identity.
In conclusion, there is compelling evidence to support the potential for positive psychology interventions to aid in the process of shifting identities in the developmental process of matrescence. However, the available literature warrants more empirical evidence and further research to establish a clear connection between addressing psychological discomfort in the perinatal period with the application of positive psychology theories and strategies. A case can be made for the use of positive psychology interventions in creating a more easeful shift in identity for new mothers based on the capacity of these strategies to reconcile their new with their former identities through a strengths-based approach, and to build critical inner resources that lead to greater life satisfaction. Perhaps most importantly, positive psychology interventions are proven to be effective and long-lasting (Seligman et al., 2005). Therefore, a need exists to further examine and unlock the potential of applying positive psychology theories and interventions in the treatment of perinatal women.
References
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