Mothers’ perceptions of the effects of the babies in mind programme on maternal mental health and mother-infant attachment: a South African narrative study

Abstract

The focus of this study is on mothers, motherhood and the Babies in Mind programme as an early intervention strategy for mothers in South Africa. The rate of maternal mental ill health in our country is alarming. Research consistently confirms that maternal mental health directly affects infant and child mental health. One of the major determinants of mental health is mother-infant attachment. Studies have indicated the range of deleterious effects that maternal mental ill-health and mother-infant attachment issues have on offspring from infancy to adulthood. This has implications for the mental health of future generations and society at large. Researchers have called for evidence-based interventions that address maternal mental health and mother-infant attachment, especially in developing countries. South Africa has no national prevention or treatment programme to address these needs. This study investigated the Babies in Mind programme as an early intervention option to address the gap in promoting maternal mental health and mother-infant attachment. A social constructionist, narrative study was employed to meet the objectives of the study. The aim was to explore mothers’ perceptions of the impact of the Babies in Mind programme, with particular reference to their mental health and their relationships to their infants. Focus was placed on understanding the social constructions of motherhood at the community level and how these constructions were reconstructed through the programme. Purposive sampling was employed and focus groups were conducted to collect the relevant data. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that mothers’ experiences of the Babies in Mind programme were positive and there were improvements in their mental health and relationships to their infants. A relationship model for mothers was developed based on the themes that emerged from the data analysis. A platform for continued support and discussion was organised via a social media (Whatsapp) support group. Twelve 7guidelines were suggested for the implementation of intervention programmes such as the Babies in Mind programme at the community level