An Examination of the Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Mother-to-Child Trauma Transmission in Post-Migration Contexts Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Objectives: The impact of psychosocial factors and social support in the transmission of trauma related to migration and the mother–child dyad has not yet been amply explored. This article examines this impact and the role that psychosocial factors may have in the transmission of the traumatic experiences of migrant mothers to their children. Patients and method: This study was conducted in France and focused on 14 mother–child dyads in which mothers were exposed to potentially traumatic events in the absence of the child, before or after birth. To analyse the corpus of information collected, the team used a qualitative method based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) guidelines. Results: The study’s findings show that a lack of support from the family and lack of support from the host country are two of the major psychosocial factors involved in the exacerbation of maternal challenges. This negative impact on the maternal function leads to mirror reactions between the mother and child marked by the transmission of depressed moods and instinctive behavioural disorders, such as insomnia. Among other findings, factors are identified that help protect mother–child interactions, including religion and faith in God. Conclusion: These findings provide a foundation for further studies into the transmission of trauma from mother to child among migrant women and will help direct further clinical insight into the role of psychosocial factors in traumatic experiences and their transmission

An Examination of the Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Mother-to-Child Trauma Transmission in Post-Migration Contexts Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Objectives: The impact of psychosocial factors and social support in the transmission of trauma related to migration and the mother–child dyad has not yet been amply explored. This article examines this impact and the role that psychosocial factors may have in the transmission of the traumatic experiences of migrant mothers to their children. Patients and method: This study was conducted in France and focused on 14 mother–child dyads in which mothers were exposed to potentially traumatic events in the absence of the child, before or after birth. To analyse the corpus of information collected, the team used a qualitative method based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) guidelines. Results: The study’s findings show that a lack of support from the family and lack of support from the host country are two of the major psychosocial factors involved in the exacerbation of maternal challenges. This negative impact on the maternal function leads to mirror reactions between the mother and child marked by the transmission of depressed moods and instinctive behavioural disorders, such as insomnia. Among other findings, factors are identified that help protect mother–child interactions, including religion and faith in God. Conclusion: These findings provide a foundation for further studies into the transmission of trauma from mother to child among migrant women and will help direct further clinical insight into the role of psychosocial factors in traumatic experiences and their transmission