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Separation in Unity: Dialogical Transformation of Maternal Bond

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Abstract

The objective of this paper is to explore mothers’ psychological adaptation related to separation from their newborn children immediately after birth. Mother and child separation has traditionally received attention from the child’s perspective, but given that the bond is dyadic, the mother’s wellbeing should also be considered. This qualitative study is based on interview data with mothers of premature infants. From the analysis, three themes emerged: concerns during pregnancy about premature birth; emotional strain caused by separation; and the need to protect and to be close to the newborn. Drawing on the perspectives of dialogical self theory and semiotic regulation model, the paper will focus on intra-psychological dynamics and will analyze the adaptation process in terms of I-positions. Based on the analysis, the maternal bond represents the integration of the I-position I-as-mother and My child, which is integrated during the pregnancy into the core of the self. It can be assumed that rupture of the self-continuity is activated by the birth of the child, which is then compounded if the child leaves. The maternal superordinate viewpoint (meta-I-position) directs a woman’s behavior and allows for a sense of coherence under dynamic organization related to the birth of the child. The potential for psychological adaptation is presented as an ability to establish self-continuity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia

    Kristiina Uriko

  2. Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia

    Irena Bartels

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  1. Kristiina Uriko
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  2. Irena Bartels
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Correspondence to Kristiina Uriko.

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Uriko, K., Bartels, I. Separation in Unity: Dialogical Transformation of Maternal Bond. Integr. psych. behav. 57, 590–606 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-022-09688-2

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