Mamas and Music: A Qualitative Study of Music’s Impact on a Mother’s Mental Health and the Developing Parent-Child Relationship

Abstract

Secure attachment relationships are built upon interactions between young children and their caregivers during the first few years of a child's life. In many instances, the primary caregiver is the mother. Focusing on a mother's mental health and well-being is an essential factor that influences their capacity to develop effective attachment. Positive interactions between mothers and babies can support parental efficacy, rendering a higher sense of attunement, and increased maternal sensitivity. The field of music therapy has demonstrated the potential for meaningful correlations between mothers who sing to their children and the parent-child relationship. However, additional research into the effects of singing on the mother's mental health within the context of the parent-child relationship is still needed. This study explores how a mother’s singing to their babies is can be connected to their mental health and wellness and, subsequently, the successful development of a parent-child attachment relationship. Mothers who used music to foster positive interactions with their children also described an increased sense of parental self-efficacy and enhanced maternal sensitivity. Such interactions supported the unique maternal identity beliefs each person sought to confirm in their role as a mother. When mothers felt they were aligned with their maternal identity, they described a strong connection to their mental health and subsequently, the developing relationship with their child.