title: Constructions and experiences of motherhood in the context of an early intervention for Aboriginal mothers and their children: mother and healthcare worker perspectives.
abstract: The colonisation of Australia has been associated with traumatic consequences for Aboriginal health and wellbeing, including the breakdown of the traditional family unit and negative consequences for the mother/child relationship. Early-intervention programs have been developed to assist families to overcome disadvantage and strengthen mother/child attachment. However, there is no research examining Aboriginal women's subjective experiences and constructions of motherhood in the context of such programs, and no research on the perceived impact of such programs, from the perspective of Aboriginal mothers and healthcare workers (HCWs), with previous research focusing on child outcomes.
  
  
  
  Researchers conducted participant observation of an early intervention program for Aboriginal mothers and young children over a 6 month period, one-to-one interviews and a focus group with 10 mothers, and interviews with nine HCWs, in order to examine their perspectives on motherhood and the intervention program.
  
  
  
  Thematic analysis identified 2 major themes under which subthemes were clustered. Constructions of motherhood: 'The resilient mother: Coping with life trauma and social stress' and 'The good mother: Transformation of self through motherhood'; Perspectives on the intervention: '"Mothers come to life": Transformation through therapy'; and '"I know I'm a good mum": The need for connections, skills and time for self'.
  
  
  
  The mothers constructed themselves as being resilient 'good mothers', whilst also acknowledging their own traumatic life experiences, predominantly valuing the peer support and time-out aspects of the program. HCWs positioned the mothers as 'traumatised', yet also strong, and expressed the view that in order to improve mother/child attachment a therapeutic transformation is required. These results suggest that early interventions for Aboriginal mothers should acknowledge and strengthen constructions of the good and resilient mother. The differing perspectives of mothers and HCWs on the role and impact of the early intervention program reinforces the need for Aboriginal mothers to be involved in the design and implementation of services aimed at assisting their families.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW, 2751, Australia. j.ussher@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ussher
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW, 2751, Australia.
authors.forename: Rosie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Charter
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW, 2751, Australia.
authors.forename: Chloe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parton
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW, 2751, Australia.
authors.forename: Janette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perz
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D000068101:Maternal-Child Health Services; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Aboriginal mothers; Constructions of motherhood; Early-intervention program; Good mothering; Mother-child attachment; Professional perspectives; Resilience; Thematic analysis; Trauma