Abstracts

Making Meaning Of Motherhood: A Phenomenological Investigation Of Mothers Raised By Grandparents

by Rebecca L Sheffield




Institution: College of William and Mary
Department:
Year: 2017
Keywords: Education
Posted: 02/01/2018
Record ID: 2153622
Full text PDF: https://publish.wm.edu/etd/1499449985


Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the construction of motherhood of women raised by grandparents. The epistemological framework of Womens Ways of Knowing provided the theoretical perspective, and the concept of ego development added descriptive depth. Seven mothers who identified as having been raised primarily by one or more grandparents were recruited for the study. Data collection consisted of one semi-structured interview and the shortened version of the Washington Sentence Completion Test (WUSCT-81) to assess ego development. Questions this study sought to answer were: What does it mean to be a mother who was raised by a grandparent? Sub-questions were: What themes within the meaning-making of women raised by grandparents may contribute to perceptions of motherhood? What are the influences of gender, culture, and social class in the development of perceptions of motherhood by women raised by grandparents? What is the relationship between the participants level of ego development and her perceptions of motherhood? The following themes emerged through this inductive study: unselfish motherhood; hindered belonging; generational incongruence; a la carte motherhood models; level of perceived support; and reflective gratitude. Implications for future research, Counselor Education and Supervision, and Family Counseling are discussed, as are limitations of the study.