The transition to motherhood: a qualitative study of new mothers’ experiences of loneliness and associated challenges
Open accessAbstract
PURPOSE: Motherhood is widely recognized as a profound developmental life event, encompassing physical recovery, life and identity reorganization, and new caregiving responsibilities, but the emergence of loneliness in new mothers remains under-researched. The aim of this study was to explore new mothers' experiences of loneliness and associated challenges. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory design and content analysis were conducted. Interviews were conducted with ten first-, second- and third-time mothers. RESULTS: The analysis generated three main categories: 1. Social dimensions of loneliness, 2. Emotional dimensions of loneliness, 3. Existential dimensions of loneliness. DISCUSSION: Loneliness among new mothers is a multidimensional experience encompassing social, emotional, and existential dimensions. Loneliness may arise from changes in social relationships, challenges within partner relationships, and the profound identity transition associated with becoming a mother. Additionally, participants described existential aspects of loneliness, including feeling overlooked as individuals and experiencing a disruption in their sense of self during the transition to motherhood. CONCLUSION: As seen in our findings, social, emotional, and existential loneliness can be associated with becoming a new mother. Preventive measures should be considered, such as low-threshold counseling services for new mothers and partners, aimed at supporting the well-being of the entire family.
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The transition to motherhood can provoke anxiety, depression, or existential reflection, profoundly affect relationships, and induce feelings of isolation and inadequacy.
“It is also well documented that the transition to motherhood can provoke anxiety, depression, or existential reflection, profoundly affect relationships, and induce feelings of isolation and inadequacy (18, 19).”
From “Motherhood is a work in progress”: a qualitative longitudinal study of maternal subjectivity and well-being of women in the Bukhali trial in Soweto, South Africa (2026) · cites this paper as [18]
The Introduction (page unavailable) describes profound psychological and relational changes, including relationship challenges and social isolation. The Conclusions (page unavailable) link becoming a new mother to social, emotional, and existential loneliness, including self-questioning and pressure to perform. These passages support much of the claim, but they do not establish that the transition provokes anxiety or depression; the paper distinguishes existential loneliness from depressive symptoms in its Discussion. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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Torres, N. F., Watson, D., Mohlomi, L., Hlungwani, T., Gardiner, C. V., Muller-Kluits, N., Norris, S. A., Draper, C. E., & Pentecost, M. (2026) · Frontiers in Global Women's Health · doi:10.3389/fgwh.2026.1880613
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Martínez, C. S., Leza, S. M., García, A. G., & Montañés, P. (2026) · Health & Social Care in the Community · doi:10.1155/hsc/3662369
- Authors
- Meyer-Österlund, M., Nyman-Kurkiala, P., & Hemberg, J.
- Affiliations
- Åbo Akademi University (FI)
- Corresponding author
- Hemberg, Jessica
- Venue
- International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2026-03-27
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 2651509-2651509
- ISSN
- 1748-2623 (ISSN-L)
- 1748-2631
- PMC
- PMC13034713
- OpenAlex
- W7141480235
- Cited by
- 3
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3
- FWCI
- 19.29
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Åbo Akademi University Research Portal (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Keywords
- transition to motherhood, loneliness, postpartum women, social loneliness, emotional loneliness, existential loneliness, maternal identity, couple relationships, selfhood, maternal well-being, family support
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Emotions, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Loneliness, Mothers, Social Support, Qualitative Research, Young Adult
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