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A Narrative Analysis of New Mothers’ Experiences of Not-Understanding

This doctoral research explores the psychological implications and narrative performance of new mothers' experiences of not-understanding. It examines the uncertainties and discrepancies in the transition to motherhood and suggests reframing not-understanding as a valuable psychological space. The study delves into the intentional engagement with not-understanding and its potential benefits for new mothers. The findings highlight the importance of creating a supportive and productive environment for new mothers. For more information, contact beth.simmons@horizon-psychological-services.co.uk.

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A Narrative Analysis of New Mothers’ Experiences of Not-Understanding

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  1. A Narrative Analysis of New Mothers’ Experiences of Not-Understanding Presentation of Doctoral Research Findings Beth Simmons July 2019 Awarded by New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling Accredited by Middlesex University

  2. A Narrative Analysis of New Mothers’ Experiences of Not-Understanding Agenda Background Design Findings Conclusions

  3. ‘Not-understanding’… The psychological situation whereby an experience feels significantyet unresolved. Aims: 1. Discover more about people's experiencesofnot-understanding. 2. Interrogate the role of narrative performance in such experiences.

  4. Uncertainty of Meaning Humans need to understand and be understood… …yet our world is uncertain and full of ambiguity. Heidegger, 1953/2010; Sartre, 1943/2003 Leite and Kuiper, 2008 BlafferHrdy, 2009 Maslow, 1943 Fonargy, 2001 So what happens when our understanding of the world is disrupted? Park, 2010 Proulx & Inzlict, 2012 Heisel and Flett, 2014 Steger, 2005 Linley & Joseph, 2011 McGregor, 2006 Vos, 2016 • Gap: The phenomenology of living with an unresolved experience. • Accounting for appraisal of sense-making experience. • Every-day not-understanding, not necessarily loss of globalised meaning. • How do we narrate our way through this process? • Looking at conscious experience.

  5. Transition to Motherhood ??? Disruption, Uncertainty, Discrepancies between Expectations and Experience A Competitive Narrative Landscape New confrontations with Responsibility, Choice, Groundlessness, Embodiment, Death Follow the right advice or prepare to be surprised? Miller, 2007; Abrams & Curran, 2009; Barclay et al, 1997, Nelson, 2003 Hays, 1996; Sears & Sears; 2001 Ford; 1999; Sher, 2001; Harries & Brown, 2017 Prinds et al, 2014; Arnold-Baker & Donaghy, 2005 Stadlen, 2002; Arnold-Baker, 2005 Gap: What are the psychological implications of the uncertain aspects of transition?

  6. Methodology

  7. Method & Design • Epistemology: Interpretative Phenomenology, Narrative Psychology. • Method: Adapted from Critical Narrative Analysis (Langdridge, 2007). • Data Collection: Semi-structured interview. • Part 1: Eliciting experiences of not-understanding. • Part 2: Reflections on Part 1 and other experiences of discussing ENU. • Analysis: • 1. Transcript Preparation. • 2. Case specific Interpretative Perspective Readings. • Content, Tonal, Thematic,Functionaland Reflexive Perspectives. • 3. Case Integration following perspective formats. Exploration of meta themes.

  8. Participants: 8 (+ 1 Pilot) first time mothers of babies 6-12 months old • Demographics • Recruited from exercise classes in Altrincham/Hale, Cheshire. • Age of mother: 25-39 y, av. 33. • Age of baby: 6-12 m, av. 8.2. • All white, mostly British. • All previously employed FT and educated at least to degree level. • Range of birth circumstances: Home, hospital w/wo intervention, adoption.

  9. Findings

  10. Stories of Not-Understanding “Knocked for six” “No-Man’s Land” “Strangely Positive” “Shocking” “ A tangled emotional mess” “Really Sad” “Traumatic” “Worried about judgement” Theme: Vulnerability A Space Between

  11. Five Ways of Not-Understanding NU as a Hermeneutic Choice NU as a Bearing Witness Not-Understanding is intentionaland context driven. Tensions manifest and are actively negotiated through narration. Range of modes of engagement and outcomes found. NU in order to Make Decisions NU in order to Connect NU toAvoid Feared Phenomena

  12. Conclusions

  13. Conclusions • Experiences of not-understanding are intentional and valuable psychological spaces in their own right. • Not-understanding can indicate heightened contact with existential conflicts (could be cohort specific). • New mothers could benefit if engagement with not-understanding was reframed as potentially courageous and valuable, rather than being a sign of incompetence. Engagement requires space and resources.

  14. Directions For Research Can meaning disruption call into play motivations other than those directed at meaning-making? Are memories of not-understood experiences processed or retrieved in particular ways? What are the benefits and drawbacks of different ways of not-understanding, and different modes of engagement? What other ways of not-understanding exist, especially in other cohorts? What are the links between maternal transition issues, not-understanding and vulnerability? • What steps might be taken, to make not-understanding a more acknowledged, habitable and productive space to be? • For clients in general • For new mothers in particular

  15. A Narrative Analysis of New Mothers’ Experiences of Not-Understanding: An original piece of research creating new possibilities for Counselling Psychology Practitioners. Thankyou. I welcome your questions and feedback. beth.simmons@horizon-psychological-services.co.uk

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