As transformações na relação mãe-filha com a chegada de um bebê: o ponto de vista da avó materna

Abstract

Grandparents have a very important role within the family context, as well as when their sons and daughters become parents. Based on this presumption, the research that originates the present dissertation aimed to investigate grandmothers‟ perceptions about the relationship with their adult daughters at the time when daughters were living their first experiences of maternity. With this objective, we performed a qualitative study with ten grandmothers whose adult daughters were primiparous, with their babies aged between five and 28 months, and that were attending a public health program for mothers and infants. As instruments for data collection we used a form of contextualization, with which important information were obtained to understand the reality studied, and a semi-directed interview of open questions. The results were analysed through content analysis and are presented in the two articles that compose the present dissertation. The first article shows the repercussions of maternity in the relationship between mothers and adult daughters, an event that brings them closer, and grandmothers‟ recognition of daughters‟ capability and autonomy as a mothers. Furthermore, it also stresses the feelings of affection that the birth of a grandchild aroused in grandmothers. The second article aimed to investigate the new‟ structures of image and role of grandmothers in present days, as well as present some aspects of the relationship between grandmothers and grandchildren. The results showed that grandmothers are relatively young and active. Grandmothers reported to be participative and available for interaction with their grandchildren and a strong bond and the feelings of satisfaction and affection characterizes the relationship between them. Moreover, we emphasize the supportive role performed by grandmothers after the birth of a grandchild. Thus, among the main aspects obtained by the study, we highlight the improvement in the relationship between mothers and their adult daughters with the maternity experience and the independence and autonomy with which daughters took maternity. It could also be observed the pleasure in the experience of becoming a grandmother. For the majority of the participants, it was possible to be only grandparents, without having to assume parental responsibilities of their grandchildren. Finally, it is important to highlight the importance of further studies concerning this subject, including different groups and socioeconomic contexts. It is important to make clear that the findings of this study do not cover the totality of the phenomenon, so new research may indicate different forms of relationship involving grandmothers in the family context.