Prenatal maternal representations: Mothers at psychosocial risk

The aim of the study was to explore differences in the content of prenatal mental representations between a risk group (n = 84) and a low-risk group ( n = 296) of pregnant women, enrolled from maternity care centers in southwe stern Finland. The method used was semantic differentials of IRMAG (Intervi ew of Maternal Representations During Pregnancy). The risk group was define d by means of questionnaire screens that concerned chemical dependency, dep ression, difficulties in social environment, and low social support. The ra tings on all target subjects, i.e., child, self, partner, self-as-mother an d own mother-as-mother, were significantly more negative in the risk group. The representation profiles of the groups differed: especially the ratings of partner and own mother-as- mother were more consistently and strongly n egative among the risk mothers.