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Cited by 32Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumMaternal and Perinatal Health InterventionsPsychology and Mental Health

A critical need for the concept of matrescence in perinatal psychiatry

Open access
Athan, Aurelie M.·2024·Frontiers in Psychiatry
DOI 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1364845PMC PMC11220490
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Abstract

The concept of matrescence, akin to adolescence but for mothers, has gained increasing attention in perinatal psychiatry, marking a paradigm shift towards understanding the holistic development of mothers. Matrescence encompasses the myriad psychological, social, cultural, and existential changes which occur as women transition into motherhood. Despite advances in maternal mental health, a bias towards pathologizing maternal experiences persists in research and practice. This commentary advocates for the integration of matrescence into perinatal psychiatry, drawing from the work of Dana Raphael and contemporary scholarship. Matrescence offers a strengths-based framework that acknowledges both the challenges and opportunities of motherhood, emphasizing the normative aspects of a mother’s self-development. By adopting matrescence terminology and nosology, clinicians and researchers can enhance traditional psychiatric classifications. Additionally, matrescence underscores the importance of considering ecological systems and historical factors in maternal well-being, highlighting the need for comprehensive and compassionate healthcare services. Embracing matrescence as a fundamental concept in perinatal psychiatry holds promise for improving maternal mental health outcomes and promoting the flourishing of mothers worldwide.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This commentary argues that perinatal psychiatry needs the concept of matrescence—motherhood as a lifespan developmental transformation—to counter a persistent bias toward pathologizing maternal experience. It proposes matrescence terminology, nosology, and strengths-based assessment as ways to better recognize both distress and growth in mothers.

Key findings

  • The paper reports that vulnerability in motherhood is ubiquitous, with estimates between 15% to 21% of the general population experiencing depression and up to 80% of mothers reporting distress of some kind.
  • It argues that despite advances in maternal mental health, a deeply rooted biomedical “psychiatry bias” remains, and that a strengths-based framework is needed to study normative maternal self-development and flourishing.
  • Matrescence was first introduced in the 1970s by Dana Raphael and is revived here as a lifespan developmental transformation that is “biological, neurological, psychological, social, cultural, economic, political, moral, ecological, existential, and spiritual in nature.”
  • The commentary calls for standardized matrescence terminology and nosology, including classification of developmental challenges and opportunities, and for assessment tools that probe positive strengths alongside vulnerability and symptoms.

Methods

  • Design: conceptual commentary, not an empirical study.
  • Data or sample: no empirical sample or dataset is reported; the paper draws on Raphael’s work and contemporary scholarship.
  • Main analysis: argumentative synthesis proposing matrescence as an organizing concept for perinatal psychiatry, including an updated definition and a proposed nosology across conventional bio-psycho-social and expanded ideological domains.

Limitations

  • Stated: the comparison to adolescence is “imperfect”; many questions remain unanswered about whether matrescence is a discrete transition or life-long experience, its developmental tasks, and its lifespan effects.
  • Stated: the exact length of matrescence is individual, recurs with each child, and may last a lifetime with no clear endpoint.
  • Evident from the text: as a commentary, it provides no empirical validation, systematic review, or tested assessment tool; the proposed nosology and self-assessment innovation are conceptual rather than evaluated.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1364845

Cites

61 of 61 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

6 of 42 cited sources checked · 1 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    Intolerance for one-sided pathologizing of maternal experiences is gaining momentum as more mothers publicly share their stories and global public health initiatives increasingly use empowering and destigmatizing language.

    “Intolerance for this one-sidedness is gaining momentum as more mothers publicly share their stories and global public health initiatives such as Maternal Mental Health awareness campaigns increasingly use empowering and destigmatizing language (5).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [5] Elliott, 2020, The utilization of cultural movements to overcome stigma in narrative of postnatal depression, Front Psychiatry source

      The Introduction (page not specified) describes women sharing accounts of postnatal mental illness and challenging stigma; the Abstract says women became more empowered to speak of maternal distress. These passages support the claim about public storytelling, but the paper does not establish that global public-health initiatives or Maternal Mental Health awareness campaigns increasingly use empowering, destigmatizing language. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    A bias towards pathologizing maternal experiences persists in maternal mental health research and practice.

    “Despite advances in maternal mental health, a bias towards pathologizing maternal experiences persists in research and practice.”
    • Also stated in: § Introduction · plain
      “Despite these notable advancements, it is imperative to acknowledge that a deeply rooted biomedical “psychiatry bias” in maternal mental health research and practice still remains, inviting critical reflection (13).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Blehar, 2006, Women's mental health research: The emergence of a biomedical field, Annu Rev Clin Psychol source
  • Premisecitation

    Pregnancy, childbirth, and infant feeding involve intricate hormonal cascades that affect the brain and body much like puberty.

    “Biological. Pregnancy, childbirth, and infant feeding involve intricate hormonal cascades (e.g., progesterone, estrogen, prolactin, relaxin, cortisol, and oxytocin) that affect the brain and body much like puberty.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] van Raalte, 2023, Examining changes in affection and “Feeling touched out” after the birth of a child, J Fam Commun source
  • Premisecitation

    Increased engagement with spiritual practices or religious faith may develop during matrescence, including transformative experiences like 'born again' events or transpersonal phenomena of indigenous traditions.

    “Spiritual. An increased engagement with spiritual practices or religious faith may develop, including transformative experiences like”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [51] Athan, 2015, Spiritual beliefs of mothers with potentially distressing pregnancies, Spirituality Clin Practice source
    • cites [52] Attard, 2023, Spirituality and spiritual care in the transition to motherhood source
    • cites [53] Curtis, 2018, Mothers’ gardens in arid soil: A study of religious and spiritual coping among marginalized US mothers with depression, J Spirituality Ment Health source
    • cites [54] Molina, 2016, The liminal space in motherhood: spiritual experiences of first-time mothers

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Interpretationcitation

    The experiences of matrescence can be severely altered by how well or poorly a mother is socially or economically resourced, placing her on a vastly different trajectory in terms of her well-being.

    “Just as with adolescence, the experiences of matrescence can be severely altered by how well or poorly a mother is socially or economically resourced, placing her on a vastly different trajectory in terms of her well-being (57).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [57] Bonnie, 2019, Fulfilling the promise of adolescence: realizing opportunity for all youth, J Adolesc Health source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 26
  • May combine two claims. 12

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Vulnerability in motherhood is ubiquitous, with estimates between 15% and 21% of the general population experiencing depression and up to 80% of mothers reporting distress of some kind.

    “Epidemiological data revealed that vulnerability in motherhood was ubiquitous with estimates between 15% to 21% of the general population experiencing depression, and up to 80% of mothers reporting distress of some kind (12).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] Rohr, 2023, Reducing psychiatric illness in the perinatal period: A review and commentary, World J Psychiatry source

      The Introduction (page unavailable) describes perinatal psychiatric illness and depression as common, supporting the broad point that maternal mental-health vulnerability is widespread. It gives different prevalence figures—about 25% for perinatal depression and 7%–15% or 19%–25% for perinatal psychiatric illness by country income group—not 15%–21% depression in the general population. Our copy does not report that up to 80% of mothers experience distress. (LLM, conf=0.82)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Social justice activism led to legislative actions mandating universal screening of new mothers for depression and their active participation in clinical research.

    “This unfolded in parallel with social justice activism that ultimately led to legislative actions mandating the universal screening of new mothers for depression and their active participation in clinical research (5–8).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [5] Elliott, 2020, The utilization of cultural movements to overcome stigma in narrative of postnatal depression, Front Psychiatry source

      The Results section on the Prozac revolution (page unavailable) says that concerns raised by women were acknowledged in two government reports advocating women’s choice and involvement in childbirth. The paper does not say that activism led to legislation mandating universal depression screening or mothers’ active participation in clinical research. (LLM, conf=0.77)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [6] Miller, 2019, Screening and treatment after implementation of a universal perinatal depression screening program, Obstet Gynecol source
    • cites [7] Price, 2012, Perinatal depression screening and intervention: enhancing health provider involvement, J Womens Health source
    • cites [8] Rhodes, 2013, Perinatal depression: a review of US legislation and law, Arch Womens Ment Health source

      The State Legislative Initiatives section describes an advocated-for New Jersey law requiring depression screening of new mothers, and the Discussion says three states mandated maternal depression screening. The Federal Legislative Initiatives section describes funding and directives to expand postpartum-depression research, but does not say legislation mandated mothers’ active participation in clinical research. The paper identifies advocacy and awareness-raising as influences on legislation, without specifically characterizing them as social justice activism. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Changes in the maternal brain's structure and function indicate another phase of human neuroplasticity, described as 'pruning and tuning,' which streamlines and optimizes the brain, making it more efficient, empathetic, attuned, and socio-emotionally intelligent.

    “Neurological. Changes in the maternal brain’s structure and function indicate another phase of human neuroplasticity. Neuroscientists describe this as 'pruning and tuning,' a process that streamlines and optimizes the brain, making it more efficient, empathetic, attuned, and socio-emotionally intelligent (24).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Pawluski, 2022, Less can be more: Fine tuning the maternal brain, Neurosci Biobehav Rev source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    The history of nonspecific constructs often used to describe maternal psychology such as "transition to motherhood", "becoming a mother", "maternal role attainment", or "maternal identity formation" is conceptually fuzzy.

    “This conceptual “fuzziness” also extends into the history of nonspecific constructs often used to describe maternal psychology such as “transition to motherhood”, “becoming a mother”, “maternal role attainment”, or “maternal identity formation” (22).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] Hwang, 2022, Concept analysis of transition to motherhood: a methodological study, Korean J Women Health nursing source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The "benign neglect" of positive aspects of motherhood could be considered an ethical violation as the psychological and philosophical literature has validated a range of indicators for maternal subjective well-being and post-traumatic growth, and even the presence of perinatal flourishing.

    “This”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Athan, 2020, Reproductive identity: An emerging concept, Am Psychol source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The arrival of children can prompt relationships to change considerably.

    “Social. The arrival of children can prompt relationships to change considerably (e.g., divorce, losing/gaining friends, mending family ties) (27–31).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [27] Cronin, 2015, ‘Domestic friends’: women's friendships, motherhood and inclusive intimacy, Sociol Rev source
    • cites [28] Doss, 2017, The transition to parenthood: Impact on couples’ romantic relationships, Curr Opin Psychol source
    • cites [29] Hartup, 1992, Friendships and their developmental significance

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [30] Kluwer, 2010, From partnership to parenthood: A review of marital change across the transition to parenthood, J Fam Theory Rev source
    • cites [31] Leonhardt, 2022, Relationship satisfaction and commitment in the transition to parenthood: A couple-centered approach, J Marriage Fam source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The WHO defined maternal well-being not merely as a reductionistic absence of mental illness, but as the capacity for flourishing.

    “In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) underscored the mental health of mothers as a fundamental component of their overall health, defining maternal well-being not merely as a reductionistic absence of mental illness, but as the capacity for flourishing (14).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] 2018

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    People who experience preconception, pregnancy, birth, surrogacy, adoption, and early parenting undergo alterations not only in the few domains Raphael initially proposed but across all of the domains of human existence.

    “What has been evidenced to date is that people who experience preconception, pregnancy, birth, surrogacy, adoption, and early parenting, undergo alterations not only in the few domains Raphael initially proposed but across all of the domains of human existence.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    The term "perinatal distress" often serves as a vague catch-all that may incorrectly suggest impending illness.

    “For example, the term “perinatal distress” often serves as a vague catch-all that may incorrectly suggest impending illness (21).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [21] Rallis, 2014, The transition to motherhood: towards a broader understanding of perinatal distress, Women Birth source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Distinguishing between psychiatric disorders and developmentally appropriate reactions can become challenging and potentially obscure the theoretical and practical boundaries between them.

    “In such an acute time of flux, distinguishing between psychiatric disorders and developmentally appropriate reactions can become challenging and potentially obscure the theoretical and practical boundaries between them (see Figure 1 ).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The exact length of matrescence is individual, recurs with each child, and may last a lifetime with no clear endpoint.

    “The exact length of matrescence is therefore individual, recurs with each child, and may last a lifetime with no clear endpoint.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Precocious puberty and assisted reproductive technologies have widened the reproductive window and made it possible to become a mother even younger and older than previous generations.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The classification of PMADs is currently being subjected to greater scrutiny.

    “It is also an opportune moment as the classification of PMADs is currently being subjected to greater scrutinty (1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] Stowe, 2023, Perinatal mental health: advances and opportunities, Am J Psychiatry source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The delayed explication of matrescence may be due in part to the lack of language available to describe new motherhood as a "life crisis" without cloaking it entirely in negative terminology.

    “The delayed explication of matrescence may be due, in part, to the lack of language available to describe new motherhood as a “life crisis” without cloaking it entirely in negative terminology.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Denying the full range of maternal experience may have unforeseen consequences such as too many false positive diagnoses of depression in light of widespread screening.

    “Denying the full range of maternal experience may have unforeseen consequences such as too many false positive diagnoses of depression in light of widespread screening.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Explicitly probing for the positive is not how mental health practitioners are commonly trained.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Premisereasoning

    The more common terms postpartum or perinatal are borrowed from the obstetric establishment and form a natural pairing with words of infirmity.

    “The more common terms of postpartum or perinatal are borrowed from the obstetric establishment and as such form a natural pairing with words of infirmity (e.g., postpartum depression).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    There is a fundamental lack of understanding about what is normative during this life stage.

    “This discrepancy highlights a fundamental lack of understanding about what is normative during this life stage.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Comparisons of postpartum depression to non-pathological human development remain curiously sparse.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Matrescence was largely neglected until half a century later when the author revived it to complement diagnostic views in maternal mental health and expanded its definition further.

    “It was largely neglected until half a century later when the author revived it to complement diagnostic views in maternal mental health and expanded its definition further (15).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] Athan, 2016, Maternal psychology: Reflections on the 20th anniversary of Deconstructing Developmental Psychology source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The study of maternal development has been saddled with a conceptual basis that has shaped it into a 'curative discipline' based on the medical model of disease, to which some argue it largely owes its transformation into the subfield of perinatal psychiatry.

    “It illuminates how over time the study of maternal development has been saddled with a conceptual basis that has shaped it into a ‘curative discipline’ based on the medical model of disease, and to which some argue it largely owes its transformation into the subfield of perinatal psychiatry (17).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17] Wood, 2010, Positive clinical psychology: A new vision and strategy for integrated research and practice, Clin Psychol Rev source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    John Cox recommended that organizations such as the Marcé Scientific Society or Global Alliance for Maternal Mental Health create forums for thinking about new scale development.

    “Such an innovation would also be in keeping with John Cox’s recommendation that organizations such as the Marcé Scientific Society or Global Alliance for Maternal Mental Health create forums for thinking about new scale development (56).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [56] Cox, 2019, Thirty years with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: voices from the past and recommendations for the future, Br J Psychiatry source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The concept of 'baby brain' is derogatory and mistakenly associated with cognitive decline.

    “This challenges the derogatory concept of 'baby brain,' mistakenly associated with cognitive decline (25).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] McCormack, 2023, It’s time to rebrand “Mommy brain”, JAMA Neurol source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The process of becoming a mother, or matrescence, was first introduced in the 1970s by Dana Raphael.

    “The process of becoming a mother, or matrescence, was first introduced in the 1970s by Dana Raphael, Ph.D., a female medical anthropologist who studied birth and breastfeeding and also coined the word ‘doula’.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] Athan, 2016, Maternal psychology: Reflections on the 20th anniversary of Deconstructing Developmental Psychology source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In the appendix of Cox's ten updated recommendations for the optimal administration of the EPDS are instructions on how to thoroughly ask and listen to answers.

    “Interestingly, in the appendix of Cox’s ten updated recommendations for the optimal administration of the EPDS are instructions on how to thoroughly ask and listen to answers:”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] McCormack, 2023, It’s time to rebrand “Mommy brain”, JAMA Neurol source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Future maternal functioning depends in part on past exposures, with each stage affecting the next and leading to a weathering effect of cumulative distress over time.

    “Future maternal functioning depends in part on past exposures, with each stage affecting the next and leading to a weathering effect of cumulative distress over time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A maternal existential perspective sees self-realization as continuously evolving, not fixed.

    “Existential. A maternal existential perspective sees self-realization as continuously evolving, not fixed (48, 49).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [48] Arnold-Baker, 2020, The existential crisis of motherhood

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [49] Garland, 2020, Existential responsibility of motherhood source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Mothers may face professional setbacks or unpaid labor due to their parental status, which exacerbates existing gender biases.

    “Economic. Mothers may face professional setbacks or unpaid labor due to their parental status, which exacerbates existing gender biases (36–38).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [36] Cukrowska-Torzewska, 2020, The motherhood wage penalty: A meta-analysis, Soc Sci Res source
    • cites [37] Delacruz, 2023, Maternal wall biases and the maybe baby effect, Ind Organ Psychol source
    • cites [38] Williams, 2005, The glass ceiling and the maternal wall in academia, New Dir High Educ source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Developmental factors such as the timing of the first pregnancy or whether a mother has been given a proper 'head start' by equipping her with comprehensive matrescence education can profoundly impact the course of motherhood.

    “Developmental factors such as the timing of the first pregnancy or whether a mother has been given a proper 'head start,' by equipping her with comprehensive matrescence education and not just childbirth preparation, can profoundly impact the course of motherhood.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The resurgence of matrescence has catalyzed fresh discoveries across various fields, from neuroscience to economics.

    “Its resurgence has catalyzed fresh discoveries across various fields, from neuroscience to economics and has been embraced by contemporary scholars as a good fit for reframing their inquiries (58).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [58] Orchard, 2023, Matrescence: lifetime impact of motherhood on cognition and the brain, Trends Cognit Sci source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The resurgence of matrescence has led to fragmentation, with numerous disconnected discussions lacking a centralized platform for a more fruitful exchange of complementary perspectives.

    “However, this has also led to fragmentation, with numerous disconnected discussions lacking a centralized platform for a more fruitful exchange of complementary perspectives.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Climate change may drive mothers to adopt environmentally conscious behaviors and an attitudinal shift from anthropocentric to ecocentric.

    “Ecological. Climate change may drive mothers to adopt environmentally conscious behaviors, ranging from recycling to engaging in political protests (44–46). They may also report an attitudinal shift, from anthropocentric to ecocentric, developing an aversion to overconsumption and a desire for a deeper connection with nature and all living beings in a reciprocal relationship (47).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [44] Davis, 2023, Untangling the double bind of carework in green motherhood: An ecofeminist developmental path forward, Women's Stud Int Forum source
    • cites [45] Logsdon-Conradsen, 2010, Motherhood and environmental activism: A developmental framework, Ecopsychology source
    • cites [46] Shrum, 2023, A scoping review of the green parenthood effect on environmental and climate engagement, Wiley Interdiscip Reviews: Climate Change source
    • cites [47] Davis, 2023, Ecopsychological development and maternal ecodistress during matrescence, Ecopsychology source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    This stage of development is a critical window for establishing lifelong positive health behaviors.

    “In conclusion, it is important to emphasize this stage of development as a critical window for establishing lifelong positive health behaviors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
30 of 30

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Comparisons of postpartum depression to non-pathological human development remain curiously sparse.

    “While more studies aim to distinguish conditions like postpartum depression from nonpuerperal major depression, comparisons to non-pathological human development remain curiously sparse.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Precocious puberty and assisted reproductive technologies have widened the reproductive window and made it possible to become a mother even younger and older than previous generations.

    “In terms of its timing and scope, precocious puberty and assisted reproductive technologies have widened the reproductive window and made it possible to become a mother even younger and older than previous generations.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Perinatal patients often challenge clinical interpretations that solely pathologize their maternal experiences.

    “Perinatal patients often challenge clinical interpretations that solely pathologize their maternal experiences.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Explicitly probing for the positive is not how mental health practitioners are commonly trained.

    “Unfortunately, explicitly “probing for the positive” is not how mental health practitioners are commonly trained, and as such they likely miss accounting for the subtle psychological gains (e.g., tolerance for ambiguity) experienced by mothers alongside the more obvious losses (e.g., sleeplessness).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The private sector commercialization of matrescence has little ethical oversight.

    “This trend has opened up avenues for its commercialization with little ethical oversight.”
5 of 5

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Cox quotation cites the wrong reference

    Minor

    The quotation attributed to Cox cites reference 25, but reference 25 is a paper by McCormack and colleagues on "Mommy brain." Cox's EPDS paper is reference 56, and its listed pages include page 128.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. 2018, Strengthening resilience: A priority shared by Health 2020 and the sustainable development goals
  2. Brookfield, 2010, Theoretical frameworks for understanding the field
  3. Hartup, 1992, Friendships and their developmental significance, 175
  4. Berndt, 2016, Transitions in friendship and friends' influence, 57
  5. Molina, 2016, The liminal space in motherhood: spiritual experiences of first-time mothers
  6. Wilson, 2000, Consilience

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Athan, A. M.
Venue
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2024-06-10
Volume
15
Pages
1364845-1364845
ISSN
1664-0640 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1364845
PMC
PMC11220490
OpenAlex
W4399522790
Semantic Scholar
e160f864586d8fa9583200672853220f64ee5999
Cited by
32
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 2
FWCI
12.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychology and Mental Health
Keywords
matrescence, perinatal psychiatry, maternal mental health, motherhood, strengths-based approach, disease classification, ecosystems

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