Introduction: Return to work (RTW) after maternity leave is a challenging experience for working mothers (WMs). Organizations can support WMs to improve this experience. A valuable tool for eliciting the intrinsic meanings of RTW is visual metaphors (VMs), which provide easier access to even the most complex life experiences.
Purpose: In line with the J-DR theory, we propose a psychological intervention that utilizes VMs combined with cognitive and mindfulness techniques to promote personal resources (e.g., psychological flexibility, parental self-efficacy), address personal demands (e.g., irrational beliefs at work, rigid maternal beliefs), and manage anxiety, work-related stress, and its consequences (e.g., parental and job burnout).
Method: Visual-Meta4Moms@Work consists of a series of VMs produced using AI, which refer to possible types of structure and meaning, as well as the semiotic dimensions of expression, conceptualization, and communication. A first group of WMs evaluated the VMs in terms of appreciation, deviation from expectations, complexity, and communicative ability. A second group of WMs will be enrolled in an intervention that involves the use of Visual-Meta4Moms@Work to elicit the meanings of RTW, along with a series of sessions focused on psychoeducation and experiential exercises, including measures of biofeedback.
Results: Visual-Meta4Moms@Work consists of ten meaning categories (e.g., challenge and destination, fight, hostile place) and over 300 VMs. Following the WMs' evaluations, the most appreciated and communicative VMs were selected, which were less complex and deviated less from expectations compared to the meaning category.
Conclusions: This contribution is part of a broader research project aimed at designing an organizational intervention to enhance RTW after maternity leave, including using VMs and AI. Images facilitate the emergence of meaning from complex experiences, allowing the researcher/consultant to facilitate their re-elaboration and promote the development of new awareness. Visual-Meta4Moms@Work can be beneficial in organizations for designing primary and secondary psychological interventions.