BROWN, VICTORIA S., Ph.D. Appearance and the Transition to Motherhood: An Exploration of Consumption and Identity Construction. (2016). Directed by Dr. Nancy Hodges. 263 pp. The purpose of this study was to explore what it is like to be a new mother and to consider the role of appearance in this experience. The three objectives of this dissertation were: (1) to examine how new mothers use appearance to establish identity, (2) to investigate the meanings new mothers assign to appearance, and (3) to understand the role of these meanings in shaping their identities as new mothers. Substantial research exists that focuses on the experience of being a mother, and on the many physical, emotional, and mental changes that women typically experience. Yet few studies are concerned with how the identity of a new mother might be developed and conveyed through appearance and what this means in the context of new motherhood. This dissertation therefore fills a void in the academic literature by exploring the meanings assigned to appearance by new mothers and helps to deepen our understanding of the role of these meanings in the shaping of a new mother’s identity. A phenomenological approach to research was used to address the purpose of the study. Specifically, the lived experiences of first-time mothers were examined in terms of how they use appearance and consumption as a means to shape their identity during the transition to motherhood. Two methods of data collection were employed, including in- depth interviews and focus groups. A total of 24 first-time mothers were interviewed, and two focus group sessions were conducted. Data were analyzed for similarities and differences which were then used in the development of the thematic interpretation. Three conceptual areas surfaced and are used to structure the interpretation: New Motherhood and the Self, Just the Two of Us, and Me, Baby, and the World. Within each area, themes that emerged through the analysis of data are interpreted and issues important to each theme are addressed. The broader conceptual and theoretical relevance of the interpretation was then considered in relation to the existing literature on the topic. Findings indicate that many new mothers feel as though they can better navigate the transition to motherhood if they are “in control” of the experience. This notion plays itself out in the way that the new mother may dress, appear in public, and in what she consumes. In contrast, other new mothers are more ambivalent about the motherhood journey and view this transition as temporary, thereby affording them the flexibility to wear casual clothing and stay close to home. Another major finding from the study is that a new mother’s identity is fluid, rather than fixed. Most new mothers felt overwhelmed and looked to their pre-baby selves as a means of articulating their ideal postpartum selves – suggesting a disconnect between the two selves and a difficulty with expressing the new identity as “mother.” Finally, interpretation of the data reveals the extent to which the baby plays a major part in how a new mother “performs” her new role when around others. Although this study addresses major gaps in the literature, it also points to the need for further inquiry into the relationship between motherhood, identity, and consumption. APPEARANCE AND THE TRANSITION TO MOTHERHOOD: AN EXPLORATION OF CONSUMPTION AND IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION by Victoria S. Brown A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate School at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Greensboro 2016 Approved by Committee Chair To my husband, for his patience and understanding in regards to my excessive coffee expenditures over the past three years and more than his fair share of babysitting duty. To my parents, who have always made me believe that I could do whatever I wanted to. To family and friends, who were asked at one time or another, to “just watch the kids for a couple of hours,” so that I could work on this dissertation. And finally, to Bo and Cole, for hanging in there with me during this journey through motherhood. ii APPROVAL PAGE This dissertation written by Victoria S. Brown has been approved by the following committee of the Faculty of The Graduate School at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Committee Chair ________________________________ Dr. Nancy Hodges Committee Members ___________________________________ Dr. Gwendolyn O’Neal __________________________________ Dr. Jennifer Yurchisin __________________________________ Dr. Steve Kroll-Smith ____________________________ Date of Acceptance by Committee _________________________ Date of Final Oral Examination iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Nancy Hodges, for her continued encouragement, support, and patience during this endeavor. Without her example and mentoring I would never have been able to successfully navigate and complete this experience. I would also like to thank my committee members: Dr. Gwendolyn O’Neal, Dr. Jennifer Yurchisin, and Dr. Kroll-Smith for their continued support and feedback as well. This study would also have not been possible without the participants, who were gracious enough to share their experiences about motherhood with me. I also would like to thank all of the mothers that I personally know, and my friends, who have provided me with tons of laughter, thoughts, and helpful suggestions throughout the writing of this dissertation, and throughout my own motherhood journey. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. ix LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................x CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................1 Background ..................................................................................................3 Identity and the Transition to New Motherhood ..............................4 Appearance-Related Consumption and New Motherhood ..............6 Purpose and Objectives ..............................................................................10 The Methodological Framework ................................................................11 Conceptual Scope and Significance ...........................................................13 Summary ....................................................................................................16 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................17 A Social Psychological Framework ...........................................................18 Symbolic Interaction Theory .........................................................18 Dramaturgy ....................................................................................22 The Self ..........................................................................................23 Identity and Appearance ............................................................................24 Dress and Appearance as Symbols and Meanings .........................26 Identity, Appearance, and Transitions ...........................................30 Consumption and Identity ..............................................................33 Motherhood ................................................................................................34 The Transition to Motherhood .......................................................35 Motherhood and Identity................................................................36 Losses .............................................................................................38 Postpartum Depression ..................................................................39 Body Dissatisfaction ......................................................................41 Consumption and Motherhood ......................................................45 Importance of Relationships ..........................................................54 Conceptual and Empirical Gaps .................................................................56 Summary ....................................................................................................60 v III. METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK .............................................................61 Exploring Lived Experience through Phenomenology ..............................62 Data Collection ..........................................................................................64 Methods..........................................................................................64 Participants .....................................................................................68 Data Analysis and Interpretation ...............................................................70 Summary ....................................................................................................73 IV. THEMATIC INTERPRETATION PART I: NEW MOTHERHOOD AND THE SELF .............................................................................................74 Congratulations, You’re a Mom! Now What? ...........................................75 Upside Down: Lifestyle and Routine .............................................75 Sudden Identity Transformation ....................................................77 Blurred