The Process of Overcoming Regrets of Motherhood

: Interviews with Mother who Overcame Their Regrets

Abstract

　　The aim of this study was to examine the process of overcoming regrets of motherhood from the perspective of mothers who overcame those feelings. Participants were 11 mothers, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach (M-GTA). Interpretation of the results led to a model consisting of four categories. The categories are “sensing regrets of motherhood,” “tending toward greater regret,” “tending toward less regret,” and “sensing that one has overcome those feelings,” Twenty-four concepts were summarized into these 4 categories.

　　First, mothers sense certain factors that will remain semi-permanently as a result of being a parent; they experience new emotions and become aware of feelings of regret. At the same time as they realize this, many mothers have greater regret due to the difficulty of confiding in others or a lack of support from those around them. Under these routine circumstances, mothers try to find someone they can consult and they attempt to use resources on their own. Such self-driven efforts can lead to opportunities for mothers to obtain support from those around them, causing changes in external circumstances. Mothers gain the understanding of those around them, they realize that they have acquired coping strategies, and they sense that they have overcome their regrets. In other words, self-driven efforts by mothers themselves and interaction as a result of changes in circumstances are required in order to overcome the regrets of motherhood.

　　Therefore, an effective approach in clinical settings would be to provide support that focuses on interaction, such as encouraging mothers to acquire coping strategies through their own efforts and encouraging them to take note of their growing child and the support they receive from those around them.