A Phenomenological Analysis of Motivation in Depressed Mothers to Care for Their Young Children

Abstract

This study aimed to phenomenologically explore the motivation in depressed mothers to care for their young children. This qualitative research employed a descriptive phenomenological approach. Twenty-five mothers of children under six, diagnosed with depression and residing in Tehran, were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically using NVivo software. Sampling continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Three main themes emerged from the data: "intrinsic motivations for caregiving," "psychological challenges in the caregiving process," and "facilitating factors in caregiving motivation." Subthemes such as maternal responsibility, unconditional love, finding meaning in motherhood, self-doubt, maternal anxiety, spousal support, positive child-related experiences, and spiritual coping were identified as key components influencing maternal motivation. Despite experiencing psychological and social challenges, depressed mothers maintain caregiving motivation through internal resources, emotional bonds with their child, and external supports. Understanding these lived experiences can inform the development of more effective psychological and social interventions.