Social representations of motherhood in a pandemic context

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30849/ripijp.v59(2025).e2017

Keywords:

Gestation, Maternity, Pandemic, COVID-19, Social representations

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the social representations of motherhood among primiparous and multiparous women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive and exploratory study, based on the Theory of Social Representations, was conducted with 60 Brazilian women who were pregnant or had been pregnant since the beginning of the pandemic. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Free Word Association Technique, and semi-structured interviews were used, with textual analysis using IRAMUTEQ software. The results revealed representations anchored in four thematic classes: challenges and family support; gestational phase; motherhood responsibilities; and emotions experienced during the pandemic. Ambivalence of feelings was identified, marked by fear and anxiety, but also by love and fulfillment. Primiparous women expressed greater insecurity, while multiparous women demonstrated resilience anchored in previous experience. The pandemic redefined central elements of motherhood, challenging traditional discourses and favoring the emergence of more complex representations. The anchoring process revealed a reinterpretation of cultural values in light of the pandemic's contingencies. It can be concluded that motherhood, experienced in this context, was a subjective and unique experience, requiring recognition of its specificities in care policies and practices.

Author Biographies

Layane Souza Silva, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil.

Psychologist graduated from Faculdade UNINASSAU Parnaíba (2021), with extracurricular internships at a Basic Health Unit (UBS) and curricular internships in Clinical Psychology using the Cognitive Behavioral approach. Master in Psychology from the Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar, 2023), member of the Laboratory of Neurosciences and Social Psychology (LaNPSo). Postgraduate in Neuropsychology and Learning Problems (2022), with training in Suicidology from the Fratelli Institute (2022), a study that involves the analysis of suicidal behavior and causes. Experienced in therapeutic support, especially with children with learning disorders. I currently study and work with the following topics: Suicide, Cognitive deficits, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Executive Functions, Mental health, Anxiety, Sleep quality, alcohol abuse and psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. I teach classes in Neuropsychology, Mental Health, Human Relations Psychology, Psychopathology, among others.

Iarla Jeyce Pereira de Brito, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil.

Coordinator of the Assistance Service for Victims of Sexual Violence -SAVVIS, located at the Dirceu Arcoverde-HEDA State Hospital. Psychologist working in the Pilot Project of the Court of Justice of Piauí -TJPI, called Multidisciplinary Integrated Service - SIM, located in the District of Cocal -PI. Postgraduate in Psychological Assessment and Psychodiagnosis from Faculdade Internacional do Delta - FID. Graduated in psychology from the Federal University of Piauí - UFPI. Experience in the area of Legal Psychology and Hospital Psychology. Interests in the areas: Psychological Assessment, Legal and Clinical Psychology, with an approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Mariane Cardoso Carvalho, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil.

Graduated in Psychology from Faculdade Piauiense (2015). She is currently a full member of the ethics committee at the Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar) and has a Master's degree in Psychology from the same university. She has experience in the field of Psychology, with an emphasis on PRECEPTOR in Obstetric Psychology and Psychoanalysis.

Katrine Silva de Carvalho , Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil.

Master in Psychology from the Postgraduate Program in Psychology at the Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba-UFDPar. Researcher at the Laboratory of Neuroscience and Social Psychology - LaNPSo/UFDPar, coordinated by professor Dr. Paloma Cavalcante Bezerra de Medeiros. Postgraduate in Mental Health (Flated/2017) and in Neuropsychology (IPOG/2022). Graduated in Psychology from the Federal University of Piauí - Parnaíba-PI Campus (2014) and graduated in Full Degree in Pedagogy - Teaching from the Federal University of Piauí - Parnaíba-PI Campus (2007). She worked as a researcher and collaborator (ICV and PIBIC) of the Research and Study Group on Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention and Mental Health, at the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), coordinated by professor Dr. Neuza Cristina dos Santos Perez. She worked as a reference technical psychologist at the Specialized Social Assistance Reference Center (CREAS) at the Luiz Correia-PI City Hall. She is currently a Psychologist at Clínica Psicocenter, based on the assumptions of the Cognitive-Behavioral Approach and Positive Psychology, Areas of interest and study: Cognitive - Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology, Human Development, Learning, ADHD, Executive Functions, Mindfulness, Neuropsychology, School Neuropsychology and Neuropsychological Assessment.

Evair Mendes da Silva Sousa, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil.

Psychologist, master's student in psychology at the Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), member of the Center for Studies and Research in Psychogerontology and Psychosocial Vulnerabilities - PSICOGERONTO. He was a participant in voluntary scientific initiation (ICV) and a fellow of the Scientific Initiation Program (PIBIC-UFDPar), and a PIBIC-CNPq fellow in a research project on the Psychosocial Analysis of LGBT Old Age and Its Social Representations. Interested in topics such as Social Psychology, Gerontology, Health Psychology and Psychological Duty.

Jefferson Luiz de Cerqueira Castro, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil.

Psychologist, graduated (2017) and master in Psychology (2020) from the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), so that during his master's degree he received a scholarship from the Piauí State Research Support Foundation (FAPEPI). Specialist in "Education, Ethics, and Politics" (2020) from the State University of Piauí (UESPI). Collaborator at the Center for Studies and Research in Psychogerontology and Psychosocial Vulnerabilities (PSICOGERONTO) at the Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar). He worked as a substitute professor in the Department of Psychology at UFDPar (2021-2023). Ad Hoc Reviewer of the periodicals: Pretextos - PUC Minas Graduate Journal in Psychology; IMED Psychology Magazine; Interface: Communication, Health, Education; Kairós Gerontology; Psychology Studies (Campinas).

Ludgleydson Fernandes de Araújo, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil.

Psychologist, PhD in Psychology from the University of Granada (Spain) with a sandwich period at the Università di Bologna (Italy), Master in Psychology and Health from the University of Granada (Spain), Master in Social Psychology and Specialist in Gerontology from UFPB. Advisor professor of the Postgraduate Program (Stricto Sensu) in Psychology at the Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar). Advisor for International Affairs at the Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba (2023-2024). 1D Productivity Scholarship in research from CNPq. Member of the ANPEPP GT - Intergroup Relations: Prejudice and Social Exclusion. Coordinator of PSICOGERONTO - Center for Studies and Research in Psychogerontology and Psychosocial Vulnerabilities. It is part of the National Bank of Sinaes Appraisers (BASis) of INEP/MEC; National Bank of Appraisers of the Centelha/MCT Program; Member of the Human Research Ethics Committee at UFDPar. Member of the Editorial Board of the Psychology Magazine of the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), of the Kairós Magazine (PUC/SP) and Associate Editor of the IMED Psychology Magazine. He has also been an ad hoc reviewer for national and international journals: Aging Society; Aging Mental Health; AIDS and Behavior; Psychology, Health Medicine; The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, British Journal of Education, Society Behavioral Science, AIDS Care, The Spanish Journal of Psychology, Journal of AIDS and Clinical Research, Psicologia e Sociedade, Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica/Psychology, Psicologia: Ciência e Profession, Psychology under Study, Psychology: Theory and Research, Studies and Research in Psychology (UERJ), Psychology and Social Knowledge, Topics in Psychology, Brazilian Journal of Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies on Aging. Its activities in teaching, research and extension have been based mainly on the following topics: Social Psychology, Psychology of Aging and Psychogerontology, Elderly People, Psychosocial Aspects of Drugs, Psychological Aspects of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Homoparenting, Homophobia and Resilience.

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2025-09-21

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Souza Silva, L., Pereira de Brito, I. J. ., Cardoso Carvalho, M. ., Silva de Carvalho , K. ., Mendes da Silva Sousa, E. ., de Cerqueira Castro, J. L. ., & Fernandes de Araújo, L. (2025). Social representations of motherhood in a pandemic context. Revista Interamericana De Psicología/Interamerican Journal of Psychology, 59(1), e2017. https://doi.org/10.30849/ripijp.v59(2025).e2017

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Vol. 59 (2025): Revista Interamericana de Psicología/Interamerican Journal of Psychology

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Copyright (c) 2025 Layane Souza Silva, Iarla Jeyce Pereira de Brito, Mariane Cardoso Carvalho, Katrine Silva de Carvalho , Evair Mendes da Silva Sousa, Jefferson Luiz de Cerqueira Castro, Ludgleydson Fernandes de Araújo

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