The role of the support network in a vulnerable mother’s personal, emotional and professional life

Abstract

Objective: To understand the impact of the support network on reconciling motherhood experienced in conditions of vulnerability in one’s personal, emotional and professional life. Method: This is a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study carried out with 15 mothers living on the island of São Vicente, in Cape Verde, Africa. Data were collected in June and July 2022, through semi-structured interviews. For data analysis, a matrix was constructed based on the construct of maternal sensitivity proposed by Ainsworth, and the structure was inspired by discursive textual analysis. Results: The results are organized into three categories: the first addresses “Conciliation/conflict of the relationship between motherhood and emotional life”; the second addresses “Interdependence between motherhood and emotional life”; and the third illustrates “Prioritization of child care over mothers’ individuality”. The categories highlighted the difficulty of mothers in vulnerable conditions in reconciling motherhood and their personal, emotional and professional lives, as there is no separation of the roles they exercise, resulting in overlapping and prioritization of motherhood over other spheres. General considerations: The fragility of participants’ support network results in personal sacrifices for the sake of their children. A cohesive support network is needed, with whom they can share maternal responsibilities.