Indicators of psychological readiness for motherhood and psychological and pedagogical measures for its formation

Statement of the problem. The article presents an analysis and discussion of the results of diagnostic assessment among pregnant women, allowing us to draw conclusions on indicators of psychological preparedness for motherhood. The purpose the article is to outline the necessary areas of work with women on the way to the formation of the maternal sphere in ontogenesis. Materials and Methods. The research methodology consists of the concept of the formation of the “maternal need-motivation sphere” by G.G. Filippova, the theory of E.V. Matveeva about psychological readiness for motherhood, as well as the analysis and synthesis of studies on motherhood, psychological readiness for motherhood, questions of perinatal psychology, theory of psychological readiness for activity. The study involved 156 married pregnant women aged 25 to 35 with higher or secondary specialized education, with a pregnancy period of no less than 24 weeks. The following psychodiagnostic methods were applied: the projective drawing test “I and my child” by G.G. Filippova, the modified Dembo-Rubinstein scale by G.G. Filippova, test of the relationship of pregnant I.V. Dobryakov’s test on relationships for pregnant women, and the authors’ questionnaire for pregnant women. Research results. The diagnostic results indicate that 79,3 % of women examined are conditionally ready for motherhood, 15 % are not ready, and only 5,7 % of respondents can be considered psychologically ready for motherhood. The last group of women is characterized by unconditional acceptance of a child, themselves as a mother, and the situation of motherhood in general. The correlation and factor analysis of the obtained data made it possible to distinguish four groups of the most informative indicators of psychological readiness for motherhood in pregnant women: the peculiarities of the current situation of the woman, the mother-and-child system, family relations and the social and domestic situation. There are also widely presented factors that make it difficult to form a psychological readiness for motherhood: unfavorable experience of relationships with their own parents, difficulties in establishing emotional contact, lack of knowledge and experience in caring for children. There is a need to work with these aspects before pregnancy. Conclusions are drawn on the importance of comprehensive psychological and pedagogical support of a woman on the way to the formation of the maternal sphere of her personality in relation to genesis, which contributes to the development of psychological preparedness for motherhood.