Parents’ Emotional Responses to Early Parenthood

Early parenthood is a significant developmental stage that involves abrupt and dramatic changes to a new parent’s life. It is thought to be both a stressful and rewarding period, requiring significant adjustment to pre-parenthood lifestyles and routines. This study explores the emotional journey that new parents experience during the early phases of parenthood, examining these with a critical lens and giving consideration to the impacts of social constructions on early parenthood. Thirty parents were interviewed as part of a grounded theory study which uncovered parents’ experiences of significant emotional disturbance including self-doubt, isolation and loneliness. Both the role (lack of sleep, frustration) and social expectations and demands contributed to emotional disturbance. Many parents experienced a culture of comparison, competition and judgement that impacted on their emotional well-being, which we believe can be resisted with professional and social supports and the application of critical reflection.