Intensive mothering ideology in France: A pilot study

Objective

The aim of this pilot study was to adapt the intensive mothering ideology concept in a French sample and to get an assessment tool.

Method

First, the Intensive Parenting Attitudes Questionnaire (IPAQ), a U.S. scale comprising 25 items, was translated and submitted online to French mothers and mothers-to-be (n = 250). Structural validity was tested through confirmatory factor analysis with poor results. Secondly, to increase the cultural validity of a new tool, new items were derived from French women speech. French mothers and mothers-to-be (n = 22) were asked about their views regarding motherhood and childcare (semi-structured interviews). A thematic content analysis was performed with good inter-judge agreement (0.53–0.86) and 27 items were created. Finally, the total set of 52 items was submitted online to French mothers and mothers-to-be (n = 474). The structure was tested through exploratory factor analysis.

Results

A new tool called the Measure of Intensive Mothering Ideology (MIMI) was obtained. This 21 items scale with 6 dimensions (Essentialism, Consuming Fulfillment, Child-centrism, Challenge, Sacrifice and Stimulation) explains 59.75% of variance. Internal consistencies were satisfactory (0.61–0.83) and most dimensions were positively and moderately correlated (0.17?0.38).

Conclusion

The MIMI is the first French-language scale assessing IMI and offers interesting research avenues notably regarding perinatal parental adaptation.