Skip to main content
Book cover

Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology pp 415–434Cite as

Well-Being and Personal Growth in Emerging Motherhood: And What About Meaning?

Abstract

Theoretical and empirical literature in positive psychology highlights the potential benefits of challenging life events, demonstrating that the need to adapt to demanding and stressful circumstances may lead to a new understanding of life, self-worth, and the quality of social interactions. In other words, challenging life transitions may affect well-being and engender personal growth. Though the transition to motherhood and the experience of being a mother are considered positive life events that typically arouse delight, pleasure, and self-fulfillment, they may also be accompanied by a variety of stresses. This chapter reviews cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of first-time and more experienced mothers in both normative and unique circumstances, and discusses the interrelations between well-being, growth, and meaning in the experience of motherhood, including internal and external resources, which may contribute to positive outcomes. The summary of current findings is accompanied by insights regarding the interpretation of existing knowledge and the questions that remain to be answered by future research.

Keywords

  • Well-being
  • Personal growth
  • Meaning in life
  • Motherhood
  • Positive outcomes

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0308-5_21
  • Chapter length: 20 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-1-4939-0308-5
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Affleck, G., Tennen, H., Allen, D. A., & Gershman, K. (1986). Perceived social support and maternal adaptation during the transition from hospital to home care of high-risk infants. Infant Mental Health Journal, 7, 6–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Affleck, G., Tennen, H., & Rowe, J. (1991). Infants in crisis: How parents cope with newborn intensive care and its aftermath. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aldwin, C. M., & Levenson, M. R. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: A developmental perspective. Psychological Inquiry, 15, 19–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aristotle. (1955). The ethics of Aristotle: The Nicomachean ethics (J. Thomson, Trans.). London: Penguin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Auslander, G. K., Netzer, D., & Arad, I. (2003). Paternal anxiety following discharge from hospital of their very low birth weight infants. Family Relations, 52, 12–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baor, L., & Soskolne, V. (2010). Mothers of IVF and spontaneously conceived twins: A comparison of prenatal maternal expectations, coping resources and maternal stress. Human Reproduction, 25, 1490–1496.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barr, P. (2010). Acute traumatic stress in neonatal intensive care unit parents: Relation to existential emotion-based personality predispositions. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 15, 106–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barr, P. (2011). Posttraumatic growth in parents of infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 16, 117–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bar-Shua, E. (2011). Personal growth in the transition to parenthood following fertility treatments (Unpublished manuscript).

    Google Scholar 

  • Berant, E., Mikulincer, M., & Florian, V. (2001). Attachment style and mental health: A one-year follow-up study of mothers of infants with congenital heart disease. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 8, 956–968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyraz, G., & Efstathiou, N. (2011). Self-focused attention, meaning, and posttraumatic growth: The mediating role of positive and negative affect for bereaved women. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 16, 13–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyraz, G., Horne, S. G., & Sayger, T. V. (2010). Finding positive meaning after loss: The mediating role of reflection for bereaved individuals. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 15, 242–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L., & Shaver, P. R. (1998). Self-report measurement of adult attachment: An integrative overview. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rholes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 46–76). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Busseri, M. A., & Sadava, S. W. (2011). A review of the tripartite structure of subjective well-being: Implications for conceptualization, operationalization, analysis, and synthesis. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 15, 290–314.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cadell, S., Regehr, C., & Hemsworth, D. (2003). Factors contributing to posttraumatic growth: A proposed structural equation model. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 73, 279–287.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2006). The foundations of posttraumatic growth: An expanded framework. In L. G. Calhoun & R. G. Tedeschi (Eds.), Handbook of posttraumatic growth: Research & practice (pp. 3–23). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, T. H., Chang, S. P., Tsai, C. F., & Juang, K. D. (2004). Prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders in assisted reproductive technique clinic. Human Reproduction, 17, 2313–2318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, A. E., Diener, E., Georgellis, Y., & Lucas, R. E. (2008). Lags and leads in life satisfaction. A test of the baseline hypothesis. Economic Journal, 118, 222–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, K., & Cairns, D. (2012). Is searching for meaning in life associated with reduced subjective well-being? Confirmation and possible moderators. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13, 313–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Compton, W. C., Smith, M. L., Cornish, K. A., & Qualls, D. L. (1996). Factor structure of mental health measures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71, 406–413.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cordova, M. J., Cunningham, L. L. C., Carlson, C. R., & Andrykowski, M. A. (2001). Posttraumatic growth following breast cancer: A controlled comparison study. Health Psychology, 20, 176–185.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cowan, C. P., & Cowan, P. A. (1995). Interventions to ease the transition to parenthood: Why they are needed and what they can do. Family Relations, 44, 412–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowan, C. P., & Cowan, P. A. (1999). When partners become parents: The big life change for couples. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cryder, C., Kilmer, R., Tedeschi, R., & Calhoun, L. (2006). An exploratory study of posttraumatic growth in children following a natural disaster. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 76, 65–69.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Daniluk, J. C., & Tench, E. (2007). Long-term adjustment of infertile couples following unsuccessful medical intervention. Journal of Counseling and Development, 85, 89–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, L., Edwards, H., Mohay, H., & Wollin, J. (2003). The impact of very premature birth on the psychological health of mothers. Early Human Development, 73, 61–70.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95, 542–575.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eid, M., & Diener, E. (2004). Global judgments of subjective well-being: Situational variability and long-term stability. Social Indicators Research, 65, 245–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eid, M., & Larsen, R. J. (Eds.). (2008). The science of subjective well-being. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, M. A., & Hall, J. E. (2003). Social stigma and compounded losses: Quality-of-life issues for multiple-birth families. Fertility and Sterility, 80, 405–414.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feeney, J. A., Hohaus, L., Noller, P., & Alexander, R. P. (2001). Becoming parents: Exploring the bonds between mothers, fathers, and their infants. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Findler, L., Taubman – Ben-Ari, O., & Kuint, J. (2007). Internal and external contributors to maternal mental health and marital adaptation one year after birth: Comparison of mothers of pre-term and full-term twins. Women and Health, 46, 39–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finzi-Dotan, R., Segal-Triwitz, Y., & Golubchik, P. (2011). Predictors of stress-related growth in parents of children with ADHD. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32, 510–519.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, J. R. W., Feekery, C. J., & Row-Murray, H. J. (2002). Nature, severity and correlates of psychological distress in women admitted to a private mother-baby unit. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 38, 140–145.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, J., & Stocky, A. (2003). Maternal perinatal mental health and multiple births: Implications for practice. Twin Research, 6, 506–513.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. (1985). If it changes it must be a process: Study of emotion and coping during three stages of a college examination. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 150–170.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frances-Fisher, J. E. (2005). The meaning and experience of spirituality for infertile women who have been through medical treatment in their efforts to produce a child: A phenomenological investigation (Unpublished master’s thesis). Tennessee: University of Memphis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galatzer-Levy, I. R., Mazursky, H., Mancini, A. D., & Bonanno, G. A. (2011). What to expect when expecting: Evidence for heterogeneity in subjective well-being in response to parenthood. Journal of Family Psychology, 25, 384–392.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, F. L., Ungerer, J. A., Tennant, C. C., & Saunders, D. M. (2000). Parental adjustment and attitudes to parenting after in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility, 73, 565–574.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, D. (2006). Stumbling on happiness. New York: Knopf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glade, A. C., Bean, R. A., & Vira, R. (2005). A prime time for marital/relational intervention: A review of the transition to parenthood literature with treatment recommendations. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 33, 319–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glazebrook, C., Sheard, C., Cox, S., Oats, M., & Ndukwe, G. (2004). Parenting stress in first-time mothers of twins and triplets conceived after in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility, 81, 505–511.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glenn, N. D., & Weaver, C. (1988). The changing relationship of marital status to reported happiness. Journal of Marriage and Family, 50, 317–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, S., & DeVitto, B. (2002). Parenting children born preterm. In M. E. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of parenting (Vol. 1). Mahwah, NJ: Laurence Erlbaum Assoc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottman, J. M., & Notarius, C. I. (2000). Decade review: Observing marital interaction. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 62, 927–947.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, K. A., McMahon, C., & Austin, M. P. (2008). Maternal anxiety during the transition to parenthood: A prospective study. Journal of Affective Disorder, 108, 101–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hastings, R. P., Kovshoff, H., Ward, N. J., Espinosa, F. D., Brown, T., & Remington, B. (2005). Systems analysis of stress and positive perceptions in mothers and fathers of pre-school children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 35, 635–644.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings, R. P., & Taunt, H. M. (2002). Positive perceptions in families of children with developmental disabilities. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 107, 116–127.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hefferon, K., Grealy, M., & Mutrie, N. (2009). Post-traumatic growth and life threatening physical illness: A systematic review of the qualitative literature. British Journal of Health Psychology, 14, 343–378.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Helgeson, V. S., Reynolds, K. A., & Tomich, P. (2006). A meta-analytic review of benefit finding and growth. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 797–816.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Helms-Erikson, H. (2001). Marital quality ten years after the transition to parenthood: Implications of the timing of parenthood and the division of housework. Journal of Marriage and Family, 63, 1099–1110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks, J. A., & King, L. A. (2007). Meaning in life and seeing the big picture: Positive affect and global focus. Cognition and Emotion, 21, 1577–1584.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffenaar, P. J., Van Balen, F., & Hermanns, J. (2010). The impact of having a baby on the level and content of women’s well-being. Social Indicators Research, 97, 279–295.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, J., Marcus, M., & Campbell, S. B. (1984). Postpartum depression: A critical review. Psychological Bulletin, 95, 498–515.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hungerbuehler, I., Vollrath, M. E., & Landolt, M. A. (2011). Posttraumatic growth in mothers and fathers of children with severe illnesses. Journal of Health Psychology, 16, 1259–1267.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Janoff-Bulman, R. (1989). Assumptive worlds and the stress of traumatic events: Applications of the schema construct. Social Cognition, 7, 113–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2008). Positive psychological perspective on posttraumatic stress: An integrative psychosocial framework. In S. Joseph & P. A. Linley (Eds.), Trauma, recovery, and growth: Positive psychological perspective on posttraumatic stress (pp. 3–20). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, H. (2002). Production, reproduction, and education: Women, children, and work in a British perspective. Population and Development Review, 28, 445–474.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenrick, D. T., Griskevicius, V., Neuberg, S. L., & Schaller, M. (2010). Renovating the pyramid of needs: Contemporary extensions built upon ancient foundations. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5, 292–314.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King, L. A., Hicks, J. A., Krull, J., & Del Gaiso, A. (2006). Positive affect and the experience of meaning in life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90, 179–196.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King, L. A., & Patterson, C. (2000). Reconstructing life goals after the birth of a child with down syndrome: Finding happiness and growing. International Journal of Rehabilitation and Health, 5, 17–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knoester, C., & Eggebeen, D. J. (2006). The effects of the transition to parenthood and subsequent children on men’s well-being and social participation. Journal of Family Issues, 27, 1532–1560.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levitt, M. J., Weber, R. A., & Clark, M. C. (1986). Social network relationships as sources of maternal support and well-being. Developmental Psychology, 22, 310–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Losavio, S. T., Cohen, L. H., Laurenceau, J. P., Dasch, K. B., Parrish, B. P., & Park, C. L. (2011). Reports of stress-related growth from daily negative events. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 30, 760–785.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luhmann, M., Hofmann, W., Eid, M., & Lucas, R. E. (2012). Subjective well-being and adaptation to life events: A meta-analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 592–615.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lytton, H., & Gallagher, L. (2002). Parenting twins and the genetics of parenting. In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of parenting: Children and parenting (Vol. 1, 2nd ed., pp. 227–253). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLanahan, S., & Adams, J. (1987). Parenthood and psychological well-being. Annual Review of Sociology, 13, 237–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, C. A., Gibson, F., Leslie, G., Cohen, J., & Tennant, C. (2003). Parents of 5-year-old in vitro fertilization children: Psychological adjustment, parenting stress and the influence of subsequent in vitro fertilization treatment. Journal of Family Psychology, 17, 361–369.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolson, P. (1999). Loss happiness and postpartum depression: The ultimate paradox. Canadian Psychology, 40, 162–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noy, A., Taubman – Ben-Ari, O., & Kuint, J. (in press a). Well-being and personal growth in mothers of full-term and pre-term singletons and twins. Stress & Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noy, A., Taubman – Ben-Ari, O., & Kuint, J. (in press b). Well-being and distress in mothers of two-year-old singletons and twins. Women Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olde, E., Kleber, R. J., van der Hart, O., & Pop, V.-J. M. (2006). Childbirth and posttraumatic stress responses: A validation study of the Dutch Impact of Event scale – Revised. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 20, 259–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivennes, F., Golombok, S., Ramogida, C., & Rust, J. (2005). Behavioral and cognitive development as well as family functioning of twins conceived by assisted reproduction: Findings from a large population study. Fertility and Sterility, 84, 725–733.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill, S. C., Cohen, L. H., Tolpin, L. H., & Gunthert, K. C. (2004). Affective reactivity to daily interpersonal stressors as a prospective predictor of depressive symptoms. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23, 172–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Padden, T., & Glenn, S. (1997). Maternal experiences of preterm birth and neonatal intensive care. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 15, 121–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, C. L. (2010). Making sense of the meaning literature: An integrative review of meaning making and its effects on adjustment to stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin, 136, 257–301.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Park, C. L., Cohen, L. H., & Murch, R. L. (1996). Assessment and prediction of stress-related growth. Journal of Personality, 64, 72–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, C. L., & Folkman, S. (1997). Meaning in the context of stress and coping. Review of General Psychology, 1, 115–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul, M. S., Berger, R., Berlow, N., Rovner-Ferguson, H., Figlerski, S., Gardner, S., et al. (2010). Posttraumatic growth and social support in individuals with infertility. Human Reproduction, 25, 133–141.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pearlin, H. J., & Schooler, C. (1978). The structure of coping. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 19, 2–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pettit, J. W., Kline, J. P., Gencoz, T., Gencoz, F., & Joiner, T. E, Jr. (2001). Are happier people healthier? The specific role of positive affect in predicting self-reported health symptoms. Journal of Research in Personality, 35, 521–536.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polatinsky, S., & Esprey, Y. (2000). An assessment of gender differences in the perception of benefit resulting from the loss of a child. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 13, 709–719.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Powdthavee, N. (2009). Think having children will make you happy? The Psychologist, 22, 308–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prati, G., & Pietrantoni, L. (2009). Optimism, social support, and coping strategies as factors contributing to posttraumatic growth: A meta-analysis. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 14, 364–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Punamäki, R. L., Repokari, L., Vilska, S., Poikkeus, P., Titinen, A., Sinkkonen, J., et al. (2006). Maternal mental health and medical predictors of infant development and health problems from pregnancy to one year: Does former infertility matter? Infant Behavior and Development, 29, 230–242.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reker, G. T. (2000). Theoretical perspective, dimensions, and measurement of existential meaning. In G. T. Reker & K. Chamberlain (Eds.), Exploring existential meaning: Optimizing human development across the life span (pp. 39–55). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rholes, W. S., Simpson, J. A., & Friedman, M. (2006). Avoidant attachment and the experience of parenting. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32, 275–285.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. (1979). Conceiving the self. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 141–166.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer, A., & Ayers, S. (2009). Posttraumatic growth in women after childbirth. Psychology and Health, 24, 457–471.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, L., Holstein, B., Christensen, U., & Boivin, J. (2005). Does infertility cause marital benefit? An epidemiological study of 2250 women and men in fertility treatment. Patient Education and Counseling, 59, 244–251.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, R. J., Bernard, R. S., DeBlois, T., Ikuta, L. M., Ginzburg, K., & Koopman, C. (2009). The relationship between acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder in the neonatal intensive care unit. Psychosomatics, 50, 131–137.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, R. J., Deblois, T., Ikuta, L., Ginzburg, K., Fleisher, B., & Koopman, C. (2006). Acute stress disorder among parents of infants in the neonatal intensive care nursery. Psychosomatics, 47, 206–212.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singer, L. T., Salvator, A., Guo, S., Collin, M., Lilien, L., & Baley, J. (1999). Maternal psychological distress and parenting stress after birth of a very low-birth-weight infant. Journal of the American Medical Association, 281, 799–805.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Snape, M. C. (1997). Reactions to a traumatic event: The good, the bad and the ugly? Psychology, Health and Medicine, 2, 237–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielman, V., & Taubman – Ben-Ari, O. (2009). Parental self-efficacy and personal growth in the transition to parenthood: A comparison between parents of premature and of full-term babies. Health and Social Work, 34, 201–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steger, M. F., Kashdan, T. B., Sullivan, B. A., & Lorentz, D. (2008). Understanding the search for meaning in life: Personality, cognitive style, and the dynamic between seeking and experiencing meaning. Journal of Personality, 76, 199–228.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taubman – Ben-Ari, O. (2012). Becoming and developing: Personal growth in the wake of parenthood and grandparenthood. In P. R. Shaver & M. Mikulincer (Eds.), Meaning, mortality, and choice—The social psychology of existential concerns. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taubman – Ben-Ari, O., Ben Shlomo, S., & Findler, L. (2012). Personal growth and meaning in life among first-time mothers and grandmothers. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13, 801–820.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taubman – Ben-Ari, O., Ben Shlomo, S., Sivan, E., & Dolizki, M. (2009). The transition to motherhood: A time for growth. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28, 943–970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taubman – Ben-Ari, O., Findler, L., & Kuint, J. (2010). Personal growth in the wake of stress: The case of mothers of pre-term twins. The Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 144, 185–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taubman – Ben-Ari, O., Findler, L., & Sharon, N. (2011). Personal growth in mothers: Examination of the suitability of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory as a measurement tool. Women and Health, 51, 604–622.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taubman – Ben-Ari, O., & Spielman, V. (in press). Personal growth of parents two years after the birth of their first child: A comparison of parents of pre- and full-term babies. Social Work Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (1996). The posttraumatic growth inventory: Measuring the positive legacy of trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9, 455–471.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15, 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tennen, H., Affleck, G., & Mendola, R. (1991). Causal explanations for infertility: Their relation to control appraisals and psychological adjustment. In A. Stanton & C. Dunkel-Schetter (Eds.), Infertility: Perspectives from stress and coping research (pp. 109–132). New-York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Terry, D. J., Mchugh, T. A., & Noller, P. (1991). Role dissatisfaction and the decline in marital quality across the transition to parenthood. Australian Journal of Psychology, 43, 129–132.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thorpe, K., Golding, J., MacGillivray, I., & Greenwood, R. (1991). Comparison of prevalence of depression in mothers of twins and mothers of singletons. British Medical Journal, 302, 875–878.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, D., Gagel, D. E., Hemmerling, A., Pastor, V., & Kentenich, H. (2004). Couples becoming parents: Something special after IVF? Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 25, 99–113.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Umberson, D., Pudrovska, T., & Reczek, C. (2010). Parenthood, childlessness, and well-being: A life course perspective. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72, 612–629.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vaillant, G. E. (2003). Mental health. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 1373–1384.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vandell, D. L. (1990). Development in twins. Annals of Child Development, 7, 145–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vilska, S., Unkila-Kallio, L., Punamaki, R.L., Poikkeus, P., Repokari, & L., Sinkkonen, et al. (2009). Mental health of mothers and fathers of twins conceived via assisted reproduction treatment: A 1-year prospective study. Human Reproduction, 24, 367–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vishnevsky, T., Cann, A., Calhoun, L. G., Tedeschi, R. G., & Demakis, G. J. (2010). Gender differences in self-reported posttraumatic growth: A meta-analysis. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 34, 110–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wandersman, L. P., Wandersman, A., & Kahn, S. (1980). Social support in the transition to parenthood. Journal of Community Psychology, 8, 332–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weigel, D. J., Auxier, C. R., & Frye, T. M. (2000). Multiple-birthing trends: Impact on couples and families. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 8, 380–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, D. J., Hobfoll, E. S., & Lavin, J. (1999). When it rains, it pours: The greater impact of resource loss compared to gain on psychological distress. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 25, 1172–1182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiest, M., Schüz, B., Webster, N., & Wurm, S. (2011). Subjective well-being and mortality revisited: Differential effects of cognitive and emotional facets of well-being on mortality. Health Psychology, 30, 728–735.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wild, N. D., & Paivio, S. C. (2003). Psychological adjustment, coping, and emotion regulation as predictors of posttraumatic growth. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, 8, 97–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wischmann, T., Stammer, H., Scherg, H., Gerhard, I., & Verres, R. (2001). Psychosocial characteristics of infertile couples: A study by the Heidelberg Fertility Consultation Service. Human Reproduction, 16, 1753–1761.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zachariah-Boukydis, C. F., & Lester, B. M. (1998). Infant crying, risk status and social support in families of preterm and term infants. Early Development and Parenting, 7, 31–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zika, S., & Chamberlain, K. (1987). Relation of hassles and personality to subjective well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 155–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zika, S., & Chamberlain, K. (1992). On the relation between meaning in life and psychological well-being. British Journal of Psychology, 83, 133–145.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zoellner, T., & Maercker, A. (2006). Posttraumatic growth in clinical psychology—A critical review and introduction of a two component model. Clinical Psychology Review, 26, 626–653.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, 52900, Ramat Gan, Israel

    Orit Taubman – Ben-Ari

Authors
  1. Orit Taubman – Ben-Ari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Orit Taubman – Ben-Ari .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Alexander Batthyany

  2. Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

    Pninit Russo-Netzer

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Taubman – Ben-Ari, O. (2014). Well-Being and Personal Growth in Emerging Motherhood: And What About Meaning?. In: Batthyany, A., Russo-Netzer, P. (eds) Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0308-5_21

Download citation