Mom’s Self-compassion Helps Recovery

The pandemic placed an intense load on many mothers juggling childcare, online schooling, work disruptions and the pressure to be everything for everyone. These added demands heightened stress and anxiety while draining many of their sense of self.

Social isolation only made things worse, especially for those who were already stretched thin. With the pandemic now behind us, there’s a clear need to center maternal mental health in recovery efforts.

“Social media is complicated – while it can offer support, it also creates an illusion of perfection that many mothers compare themselves to,” said Kelly Emelianchik-Key, Ph.D., senior author and associate professor in the Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. “Mothers crave authentic relationships where they can share struggles without judgment.”

Florida Atlantic University researchers explored this issue through a method called photovoice, where mothers of children ages 5 to 12 shared photos and reflections about how they treated themselves during these hard times. Their insights, shared through pictures and stories, offer a window into real experiences and reveal important lessons about care, resilience and healing.

The findings revealed four main themes.

• First, many mothers struggled with self-compassion.
• Second, many felt profoundly isolated, even as they longed for real connection.
• Third, as awareness grew, many mothers expressed a desire for more education and support.
• Fourth, mindfulness practices (like savoring a warm cup of coffee or stepping outside for a quiet moment) helped some mothers ground themselves.

“Research shows self-compassion reduces anxiety, depression, stress and parenting challenges, and improves mental health and resilience,” Carman Gill, Ph.D., co-author and professor in the FAU Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling said. “It also benefits children, as self-compassionate mothers are better equipped to handle emotional stress and support their children’s emotional well-being.”

The researchers stressed that mindfulness alone isn't enough to build real self-compassion. “Although mindfulness practices emerged as valuable tools for mothers to engage with their emotions and surroundings, cultivating true self-compassion requires intentional effort beyond mindfulness alone,” said Emelianchik-Key.

Read the press release.