A1 Journal article (refereed)
“I Try to Think Behind My Child’s Cry” : Preparation for Separation Experiences in the Light of Parental Mentalization (2023)

Mellenius, N., Korja, R., Kalland, M., Huttunen, R., Sourander, J., Salo, S., Westerlund-Cook, S., & Junttila, N. (2023). “I Try to Think Behind My Child’s Cry” : Preparation for Separation Experiences in the Light of Parental Mentalization. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 22(3), 290-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/15289168.2023.2240004

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Mellenius, Nina; Korja, Riikka; Kalland, Mirjam; Huttunen, Rauno; Sourander, Johanna; Salo, Saara; Westerlund-Cook, Saija; Junttila, Niina

Journal or series: Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy

ISSN: 1528-9168

eISSN: 1940-9214

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 08/08/2023

Volume: 22

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 290-309

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15289168.2023.2240004

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

The study focused on expanding the understanding of how parental mentalization (PM) occurs in an ecologically valid context during a toddler’s first transition phase from home care to early childhood education and care (ECEC). Little attention has been paid to understanding how PM occurs during a potentially stressful period of life when preparing for the first experiences of separation between the parent and the toddler. The aim of this phenomenographic study was to distinguish the qualitatively different ways parents (n = 21) experience, conceptualize, perceive, and understand the forthcoming first separation from their toddler (at 10–24 months). The results are presented in the outcome space on the basis of the phenomenographic analysis, which consisted of three categories of description: the parent’s own experiences and orientation for the forthcoming separation phase, the parent’s representation of the child’s forthcoming experiences, and PM indicators. These categories contained 10 subcategories and 480 meaning units. The mentalization indicators provide a broad view of PM in the transition phase, which consists of tolerable and reflective uncertainty. This is where some core functions of PM may be observed, maintaining flexibility toward the reactions of parents themselves and their toddlers.

Keywords: parent-child relationship; human relations; parents; parenthood; children (family members); children (age groups); toddlers; separating; separation anxiety; experiences (knowledge); transitional phases; home care; early childhood education and care; phenomenography

Free keywords: mentalisaatio

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1