Mom Brain Research Evidence and Studies: Evidence-Based Parent Brain Coaching

Scientific evidence of enhanced parental capabilities

Mom brain research evidence demonstrates enhanced decision-making and multitasking abilities in mothers. These studies guide our approach to leveraging parental cognitive advantages during the transition to parenthood. Research shows parents develop unique neural pathways that support both caregiving and professional excellence.

Key Studies:

• Davies et al. (2018) provides meta-analysis of cognitive adaptation
• Kluwe-Schiavon et al. (2013) outlines executive function strategies
• Angoff et al. (2022) examines decision-making and stress management

Evidence-based approaches to stress management

Understanding the connection between parent well-being and performance is crucial for sustainable success. This research informs our holistic approach to supporting parent health and achievement.

Key Studies:

• Blanchard et al. (2023) analyzes patterns of parental burnout
• Lavee et al. (1996) examines parenting stress effects
• Pawluski (2024) connects brain changes and mental health
• Teti et al. (1996) explores parental self-efficacy
• Sagui-Henson et al. (2022) validates digital support effectiveness

Validated approaches to supporting parent success

Our coaching methods are grounded in proven approaches and validated by extensive research in coaching psychology and professional development. This research-based approach ensures we support both the challenges and opportunities of parental brain adaptation.

Key Studies:

• Altman (2022) compares coaching and therapy effectiveness
• de Freitas et al. (2014) outlines cognitive-behavioral coaching
• Grant (2013) examines coaching efficacy
• Grant & Cavanagh (2018) details solution-focused approaches
• Grant & Green (2018) distinguishes coaching from counseling
• Grant & O’Connor (2019) provides evidence-based framework
• Palmer & Williams (2013) presents cognitive behavioral methods
• Van Zyl et al. (2020) reviews coaching models

Scientific evidence translated for practical application

These carefully selected books and articles translate mom brain research evidence into accessible strategies for parents.

Recommended Reading:

• Conaboy (2022) Mother Brain: How Neuroscience is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood
• DiMarco (2021) Mom Brain: Proven Strategies to Fight the Anxiety, Guilt, and Overwhelming Emotions of Motherhood—and Relax into Your New Self
• Pawluski (2023) Mommy Brain: Discover the Amazing Power of the Maternal Brain
• Hairston (2023) Guide to coaching vs. therapy

Complete Reference List

Updated December, 2024

A-C

1. Altman, M. (2022, July 12). New research finds coaching to be on par with therapy. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-care/202207/new-research-finds-coaching-be-par-therapy
2. Angoff, H. D., Dial, L. A., State, F., Varga, A. V., Kamath, S., & Musher‐Eizenman, D. (2022). Impact of stress and decision fatigue on parenting practices related to food and physical activity during COVID‐19. Child: Care, Health and Development, 48(6), 911-916. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12996
3. Blanchard, M. A., Hoebeke, Y., & Heeren, A. (2023). Parental burnout features and the family context: A temporal network approach in mothers. Journal of Family Psychology, 37(3), 398-409. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0001042
4. Conaboy, C. (2022). Mother brain: How neuroscience is rewriting the story of parenthood. Henry Holt and Company.

D-F

• Davies, S. J., Lum, J. A., Skouteris, H., Byrne, L. K., & Hayden, M. J. (2018). Cognitive impairment during pregnancy: A meta‐analysis. Medical Journal of Australia, 208(1), 35-40. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja17.00131
• DiMarco, I. D. (2021). Mom brain: Proven strategies to fight the anxiety, guilt, and overwhelming emotions of motherhood—and relax into your new self. The Guilford Press.
• de Freitas, S. B., Habib, L. R., Sardinha, A., King, A. L. S., Barbosa, G., Coutinho, F. C., & Dias, G. P. (2014). Cognitive-behavioural therapy and cognitive-behavioural coaching: Differences and similarities between the two approaches. Revista Brasileira de Terapias Cognitivas, 10(1), 54-63. https://doi.org/10.5935/1808-5687.20140009

G-K

• Grant, A. M. (2013). The efficacy of coaching. In J. Passmore, D. B. Peterson, & T. Freire (Eds.), The Wiley-Blackwell handbook of the psychology of coaching and mentoring (pp. 15-39). Wiley-Blackwell.
• Grant, A. M., & Cavanagh, M. J. (2018). The solution-focused approach to coaching. In E. Cox, T. Bachkirova, & D. Clutterbuck (Eds.), The complete handbook of coaching (3rd ed., pp. 35-51). SAGE Publications.
• Grant, A. M., & Green, R. M. (2018). Developing clarity on the coaching‐counselling conundrum: Implications for counsellors and psychotherapists. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 18(4), 347-355. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12188
• Grant, A., & O’Connor, S. (2019). A brief primer for those new to coaching research and evidence-based practice. The Coaching Psychologist, 15(1), 3-10.
• Hairston, S. (2023, August 7). Life coach vs. therapist: 8 myths debunked (plus how to choose). OpenCounseling. Retrieved from https://blog.opencounseling.com/life-coach-vs-therapist/
• Kim, P. (2016). Human maternal brain plasticity: Adaptation to parenting. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 2016(153), 47-58. https://doi.org/10.1002/cad.20168
• Kluwe-Schiavon, B., Sanvicente-Vieira, B., Viola, T. W., Souza, L. S. A. E., Rigoli, M. M., Fonseca, R. P., & Grassi-Oliveira, R. (2013). Rehabilitation of executive functions: Implications and strategies. Avances en Psicología Latinoamericana, 31(1), 110-120. https://doi.org/10.12804/apl31.1.2013.08

L-O

1. Lambert, K. G. (2012). The parental brain: Transformations and adaptations. Physiology & Behavior, 107(5), 792-800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.04.014
2. Lavee, Y., Sharlin, S., & Katz, R. (1996). The effect of parenting stress on marital quality: An integrated mother-father model. Journal of Family Issues, 17(1), 114-135. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251396017001007
3. McCormack, C., Callaghan, B. L., & Pawluski, J. L. (2023). It’s time to rebrand “mommy brain”. JAMA Neurology, 80(4), 335-336. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.5369
4. Neenan, M., & Palmer, S. (2006). The cognitive behavioural coaching model explained. In J. Passmore (Ed.), Excellence in coaching: The industry guide (pp. 91-104). Kogan Page.
5. Orchard, E. R., Rutherford, H. J. V., Holmes, A. J., & Jamadar, S. D. (2023). Matrescence: Lifetime impact of motherhood on cognition and the brain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 27(10), 974-987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2023.06.002

P-S

• Palmer, S., & Williams, H. (2013). Cognitive behavioral approaches. In J. Passmore, D. B. Peterson, & T. Freire (Eds.), The Wiley-Blackwell handbook of the psychology of coaching and mentoring (pp. 319-338). Wiley-Blackwell.
• Pawluski, J. (2023). Mommy brain: Discover the amazing power of the maternal brain. Demeter Press.
• Pawluski, J. (2024). The parental brain, perinatal mental illness, and treatment: A review of key structural and functional changes. Seminars in Perinatology, 48(6), Article 151951.
• Pritschet, L., Taylor, C. M., Cossio, D., Faskowitz, J., Santander, T., Handwerker, D. A., Jacobs, E. G. (2024). Neuroanatomical changes observed over the course of a human pregnancy. Nature Neuroscience, 27, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-023-01601-3
• Sagui-Henson, S. J., Welcome Chamberlain, C. E., Smith, B. J., Li, E. J., Castro Sweet, C., & Altman, M. (2022). Understanding components of therapeutic alliance and well-being from use of a global digital mental health benefit during the COVID-19 pandemic: Longitudinal observational study. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, 7(4), 439-450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-022-00263-5
• Spalek, K., Straathof, M., Koyuncu, L., Grydeland, H., van der Geest, A., van’t Hof, S. R., & Hoekzema, E. (2024). Pregnancy renders anatomical changes in hypothalamic substructures of the human brain that relate to aspects of maternal behavior. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 164, Article 107021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107021

T-Z

• Teti, D. M., O’Connell, M. A., & Reiner, C. D. (1996). Parenting sensitivity, parental depression and child health: The mediational role of parental self‐efficacy. Early Development and Parenting, 5(4), 237-250. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0917(199612)5:4<237::AID-EDP131>3.0.CO;2-B
• Uriarte, N., & Pereira, M. (2024). Plasticity and flexibility in the parental brain. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 18, Article 1389613. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1389613
• Van Zyl, L. E., Roll, L. C., Stander, M. W., & Richter, S. (2020). Positive psychological coaching definitions and models: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 793. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00793

Transform Your Parenting Journey

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