Characteristics of lifestyle and attitudes toward motherhood of surrogate mothers in Ukraine

Abstract

The article of O. Lutsenko, V. Tsokota “The characteristics of lifestyle and attitudes to motherhood of surrogate mothers in Ukraine” is aimed to study surrogate mothers’ attitudes to pregnancy and surrogate motherhood. The objectives of the study were to identify the characteristics of their social situation, lifestyle, volitional, moral, emotional and motivational qualities that can partially determine the decision to become a surrogate mother. 28 women included in the program of surrogate motherhood and three comparison groups of 20 people (the women without children, with 1-2 children and with many children) were interviewed using a semi-structured authors’ interview of the 25 questions. It was found that the prospective surrogate mothers differ from comparison groups by less education, more frequent absence of husband or divorce in the family situation, not entirely satisfactory living conditions, lack of material support. They are less vulnerable, are not prone to long-term negative emotional states, have fewer fears associated with pregnancy and childbirth, and are much more positive about the surrogacy.