PublicationS

The Scientific Inquiry of Matrescence

Matrescence shouldn’t stay in the ivory tower—here you can read my lab’s publications first-hand. These works trace not only the revival of matrescence but also related themes in reproductive life, from gender roles to spiritual development, sex education and climate change. Together, they lay the groundwork for other scientists and practitioners to bring these ideas into their own research, teaching, and practice. Here you’ll find selected works that are also written so that mothers themselves can read and recognize their own experiences in the science!

Innovating reproductive health education: testing the concept of reproductive identity

Improving maternal well-being: a matrescence education pilot study for new mothers

A critical need for the concept of matrescence in perinatal psychiatry

Maternal Eco-Distress as Catalyst for Post-Traumatic Growth Amidst Climate Change

Ecopsychological Development and Maternal Ecodistress During Matrescence

Narrative Eco-Therapy During Matrescence May Help Mothers Transform Climate Distress into Ecological Awakening: Results from a Five-Week Intervention

Matrescence as a Theoretical Space for Renewal: Discussion of the Special Issue on Maternal Subjectivity

Reproductive Identity: An Emerging Concept

Aurelie Athan, Ph.D. Maternal psychology: Reflections on the 20th anniversary of Deconstructing Developmental Psychology Authors

Spiritual awakening through the motherhood journey

Aurelie Athan, Ph.D. [PDF] from researchgate.net Motherhood as Opportunity to Learn Spiritual Values: Experiences and Insights of New Mothers

NEW SCHOLARSHIP

The concept of matrescence has finally begun to take root in the scientific imagination, inspiring new research across disciplines. Increasingly, scholars are taking up the term to reexamine their own approaches to studying mothers. These contributions show how matrescence is evolving into a growing body of knowledge. By highlighting these works, we celebrate a community of researchers who are extending the conceptual framework of matrescence into new scientific frontiers.