The biopsychosocial materno-semiotics framework: A holistic analytical tool for film studies

Abstract

This study introduces the BPS Materno-Semiotics Framework, an innovative methodological approach that combines the Biopsychosocial (BPS) Model (Engel, 1977) with Semiotic Analysis (Barthes, 1964) to examine how films construct maternal distress. The portrayal of maternal or postpartum mental health in films continues to be crucial yet an underexplored area in the interdisciplinary studies. Studies that already exist don't combine cultural symbolism or psychological realism into a single analytical framework (Mayang & Aziz, 2023). This study bridges the gap and uses the movie Nightbitch (2024) as an example to show how biological, psychological, and social factors interact with cultural ideas about motherhood in film narratives.

This comprehensive tool is useful for academics and filmmakers to evaluate how film influences public views of motherhood. It is flexible to be modified to analyse themes including mental health, workplace stress, and gender roles on other media portrayals.

• •This study offers a multifaceted methodology for the analysis of motherhood and mental health topics.
• •By integrating clinical psychology and cultural studies, this study provides an interdisciplinary framework.
• •This holistic tool enables to perform a dual-lens analysis that examines the psychological realities of parental inadequacies and the socio-cultural myths weaved into film portrayals.

Graphical abstract

Specifications table

Subject area:	Psychology
More specific subject area:	Mental Health Portrayals in Films
Name of your method:	BPS Materno-Semiotics
Name and reference of original method:	George L. Engel's BPS Model [1] and Roland Barthes’ Semiotics [2]
Resource availability:	None

Background

The study of maternal mental health and modern motherhood [3] has drawn greater research interest as modern mothers deal with social, psychological, and biological stresses. Motherhood is now an evolving role influenced by fluctuating gender conventions, cultural pressures, and career aspirations rather than a fixed function.

An essential analytical technique for assessing mothers' mental health in films is the BPS Materno-Semiotics Framework. This approach, which goes beyond clinical psychology into film studies, is based on George Engel's Biopsychosocial [1] Model (1977] that emphasises the combined effect of biological, psychological, and social determinants of health. The BPS Model is frequently used in mental health studies on postpartum depression, anxiety, and maternal identity crises [4,5]. It provides a systematic approach for examining how films create and convey maternal pain.

The study of semiotics reveals how socio-cultural conceptions of motherhood are reflected and reinforced in film representations [6]. Existing research examines how postpartum mental health is portrayed in film, often focusing on either cultural symbolism or psychological realism [7]. This study fills that gap by combining semiotic analysis, specifically Barthes’ [2] framework of denotation, connotation, and myth, to unravel the hidden meanings in maternal representations in films [2].

The BPS Materno-Semiotics Framework, which combines semiotics [2] with the BPS Model [1], offers an encompassing, multidisciplinary approach to examine maternal mental health in films, integrating both its psychological complexity and wider cultural relevance. This study shows how to perform a theme analysis of maternal mental health representations in films by using this framework on Nightbitch (2024). This approach contributes to research in psychology, film studies, gender studies, and mental health discourse by extending beyond motherhood to examine psychiatric disorders in films, workplace mental health, and gender issues.

Method details

THE biopsychosocial (BPS) model [1] IN analysing maternal mental health IN films

Engel [1] developed the Biopsychosocial (BPS) model, which emphasises the interplay of biological, psychological, and social elements to offer a thorough and integrative approach to understand mental health. The BPS model recognises the complexity of mental health issues by taking into account genetic predispositions, cognitive processes, and environmental effects, in contrast to the conventional biological paradigm, which mainly concentrates on physiological reasons [4]. Studies show that when treatment programs incorporate biological therapies with psychological and social aspects, mental health outcomes increase dramatically [8]. Public health, psychiatry, and clinical psychology have all embraced this holistic approach [9].

The BPS model (1977), which provides an advanced knowledge of maternal anxiety, has had a particularly significant impact on postpartum mental health research. According to studies, psychological vulnerabilities like anxiety disorders or past trauma and social variables such as a lack of support or financial stress also have an impact on postpartum depression (PPD), which is not just a hormonal imbalance [10]. The necessity for an interdisciplinary approach is further supported by a systematic study conducted in 2013 by O'Hara and McCabe, which indicated that a combination of biological, psychological, and social stresses greatly increases the risk of PPD. Furthermore, Shorey et al. [11] showed that social support networks and psychological well-being-focused interventions are more successful than pharmaceutical treatments alone at lowering postpartum depression symptoms.

The BPS model (1977) is a strong and multifaceted paradigm for examining maternal mental health in films because of its factual support from several studies. Through the application of this model to film representations, this study investigates how films present maternal distress as an outcome not only of an individual's psychological condition but environmental and societal pressures as well. This multidisciplinary approach examines the larger socio-cultural narratives that influence maternal experiences in addition to capturing the psychological realism of motherhood.

Roland Barthes’ semiotics [2] in analysing maternal mental health in films

A strong analytical framework for comprehending how meanings are created and communicated through cultural works, including films, is offered by Roland Barthes' semiotic theory (1964). According to Barthes [2], meaning functions on three levels:

• 1.Denotation (literal meaning),
• 2.Connotation (associated meanings) and,
• 3.Myth (rooted cultural ideologies).

Semiotics is a crucial tool for dissecting the narrative and visual representations of maternal mental health in films because of this multi-layered approach. Semiotics reveals how films create and convey maternal mental health issues through visual symbols, narrative frameworks, and cultural myths, while psychological techniques expose the lived experience of these challenges. Semiotics is particularly significant for studying how society views and builds motherhood because it reveals the hidden ideological implications buried in cinematic portrayals, in contrast to conventional film analysis, which frequently concentrates on storyline and character development [12].

In order to investigate how narratives influence society's attitudes towards identity, gender roles, and mental health, semiotics has been extensively used in media studies, cultural studies, and gender studies [13]. By using Barthes' semiotics [2] to examine literature, film, and advertising, academics have shown how textual and visual cues produce prevailing social meanings [14]. Semiotics is used in maternal mental health study to show how the media either supports or contradicts myths about motherhood, such as the idea that mothers should be selfless, emotionally strong, and innately sensitive to their children's needs [15]. According to studies, these cultural stereotypes fuel psychological discomfort, irrational self-expectations, and maternal guilt, which emphasises the importance of critically examining how motherhood is portrayed in films [16].

This study goes beyond psychological realism to investigate how films use symbols, narrative structures, and visual cues to construct and transmit maternal anguish by integrating Barthes' semiotic analysis (1964) into the BPS Materno-Semiotics Framework. By highlighting the broader social connotations of these representations, this multidisciplinary approach enables a more thorough investigation of how cultural beliefs impact postpartum depression and how mothers' challenges are perceived.

Significance of the method

The BPS Materno-Semiotics Framework constitutes a revolutionary methodological approach to film analysis by merging psychological realism with cultural critique, bridging research gaps that focus solely on psychological discomfort or cultural constructions of motherhood [17]. By classifying maternal experiences according to their biological, psychological, social, and cultural elements, it also offers a systematic approach to conduct thematic analysis in films.

The key contributions of the study are

• 1. Integrating Cultural Analysis and Psychology

  Conventional film studies generally focus on psychological character studies or narrative structure and visual symbolism. Although the BPS Model [1] has been widely applied in clinical psychology, its application in media studies remains underexplored. This comprehensive framework develops an interdisciplinary tool for examining mental health in films by combining it with semiotics [2]. This approach can be applied to thematic film analysis, revealing the ways in which various cinematic representations generate and interpret maternal experiences.

• 2. Enhancing Discourse on Mental Health

  According to research, misleading representations of mental illness can increase stigma, whereas truthful representations can increase empathy and awareness [10]. This approach contributes to conversations on postpartum depression, maternal anxiety, and emotional labour by highlighting the real-life challenges faced by mothers through the use of the BPS Model. It underscores the importance of accurate media portrayals in shaping public awareness and policy discussions, further emphasising the potential of this framework for thematic analysis in film studies.

• 3. Exposing Myths in the Society

  Motherhood is frequently romanticised in cultural myths, which place unattainable demands on women [15]. A critical examination of how films either support or contradict these clichés is made possible by this approach. The construction of idealised motherhood by cultural narratives is shown by the semiotic dimension, which also emphasises how these representations either uphold or subvert gender norms. This understanding is especially beneficial for media critique, feminist theory, and gender studies. In order to identify recurring cultural patterns and their psychological ramifications, this framework organises a thematic analysis of mother roles in films.

• 4. Adaptability for Wider Uses

  Although this approach was created to analyse maternal mental health in films, it can be modified to look at how gender roles, stress at work, mental health issues, and care giving are portrayed in other media, which makes it a useful tool for multidisciplinary research. Researchers can analyse and contrast maternal portrayals in different film narratives according to the framework's thematic approach, which guarantees that it can be applied to a variety of films.

Method details

The BPS Materno-Semiotics Framework is an interdisciplinary analytical tool that examines how maternal mental health is portrayed in films by combining the Semiotic Analysis [2] and the Biopsychosocial (BPS) Model from clinical psychology [1]. Through a thematic analysis of Nightbitch (2024), this study illustrates its use and shows how it might be applied to other movie analysis.

• •Semiotic analysis focuses on cultural symbolism, looking at how films encode and deliver societal myths of motherhood through visual and narrative structures [2].
• •The BPS Model offers a psychological realism lens, analysing how biological, psychological, and social factors shape maternal distress [1].

A two-layered interpretation is made possible by this framework's integration of these two viewpoints:

• •Psychological Realism: Examines the degree to which the BPS lens effectively depicts maternal mental health issues.
• •Cultural Symbolism: Uses semiotic analysis to dissect how films either support or contradict popular conceptions of motherhood.

This integrated approach offers a nuanced critique of both factual portrayals and cultural conceptions around maternity, enabling a more thorough understanding of maternal mental health in film. Researchers can systematically examine recurrent motifs in cinematic depictions of motherhood by employing thematic analysis with this framework, which finds patterns in the construction of maternal challenges across films. The Fig. 1 illustrates the steps involved in the BPS Materno-Semiotics framework:

Fig. 1.

Steps Involved in the Scene Analysis Process Using BPS Materno-Semiotics.

Steps involved in BPS Materno-semiotics

Three consecutive steps make up the analysis, and each one corresponds to Barthes' degrees of meaning:

• 1.Denotation (Scene Description)

  This step involves a careful examination of the scene, identifying substantial dialogue, character actions, mise-en-scène, and visual components that support the representation of mother experiences [7]. A deeper analysis is based on this objective description.

• 2.Connotation (BPS Analysis)

  In order to determine how biological, psychological, and social elements interact to shape mother's mental health, the scene is analysed using the Biopsychosocial Model [5]. Postpartum depression, mother anxiety, identity issues, emotional pain, and the presence or lack of social support are the primary concerns of this stage [10]. This step involves an in-depth analysis of a character in the scene, examining both verbal and non-verbal cues through the lens of BPS factors. Fig. 2 illustrates how biological, psychological, and social factors coincide. This identification of underlying BPS factors in a scene is made possible through the connotation process.

• 3.Myth (Decoding the Societal Norms)

  Public perceptions and maternal self-concept are shaped by media portrayals of parenthood, which frequently perpetuate gendered myths [15]. This step breaks down the cultural narratives that create and uphold idealised conceptions of motherhood by applying Barthes' semiotic framework (1964). This step shows how media representations and actual mother experiences are influenced by societal expectations.

Fig. 2.

Connotation Step Analysis Using the BPS Lens.

The intricate relationship between maternal psychology and cultural narratives is captured by the BPS Materno-Semiotics Framework through the use of this three-step decoding process. It offers a methodical way to perform thematic analysis in media critique, gender discourse, mental health studies, and film studies.

Scene analysis using the BPS materno-semiotics framework

In this section, a scene from the film Nightbitch (2024) is analysed using the BPS Materno Semiotics Framework for example.

Mom: I can't remember the last time that I washed this shirt.

Dad: You're living the dream.

Mom: Yeah, I'm the housewife I never wanted to be. You know, the hardest part is that I'm always on suicide watch. If I turn my head for a second, he's gonna stick a fork into a light socket or walk off a cliff.

Dad: It's better than leaving him with those awful ladies at the awful daycare ([18], 00:15:03 - 00:15:34).

Alt-text: Unlabelled box

• 1. Denotation: The Literal Depiction of the Scene

  The mother stands in front of a bathroom mirror, wearing a striped shirt with her hair untied and unkempt, visibly reflecting self-neglect. After brushing her teeth silently, she starts talking to herself. She gives a little, proud, but self-deprecating smile as she describes her condition. Her emotional distress is amplified by the delicate shadows cast by the dim lighting. She clutches her husband's hand in an attempt to express her emotional turmoil. But when she expresses her worry, he cleans his nose, listens passively, and then casually kisses her before reacting in a way that doesn't actually comfort or acknowledge her feelings.

• 2.
  Connotation: Analysis Using the BPS Factors

  • •
    Biological: Her self-neglect and exhaustion signal postpartum distress, often linked to sleep deprivation and hormonal imbalances.
  • •
    Psychological: Her hyper vigilance identified in the dialogue, ‘I'm always on suicide watch’ (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:15:19), reveals maternal anxiety and cognitive distortions, where everyday parenting feels like a life or death struggle [11]. The loss of identity is seen as the mom states, ‘I'm the housewife I never wanted to be’ (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:15:14) which deepens her emotional strain.
  • •
    Social: The father's dismissive response, ‘You're living the dream’ (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:15:14), reflects societal expectations that motherhood is inherently fulfilling. His rejection of daycare reinforces gendered assumptions that childcare is solely the mother's responsibility and there need not be any support from the father, increasing maternal role strain [19].
• 3.
  Myth: The Deconstruction of Underlying Social and Cultural Norms

  • 1.
    A good mother is always selfless and resilient (Psychologies, n.d.). This idealised myth pressures mothers to prioritise their child's well-being at the expense of their own, fostering guilt and isolation when they struggle [15].
  • 2.
    Motherhood is instinctual and effortless (Sarah Blaffer [20]). The absence of support in this scene highlights how cultural narratives dismiss the structural need for maternal care, perpetuating stigmas against seeking help [10].

Thematic analysis of the film nightbitch (2024) using BPS materno-semiotics framework

The BPS Materno-Semiotics Framework is applied to the film Nightbitch (2024) to identify dominant themes related to postpartum experiences and maternal mental health. Table 1 categorises these themes, outlining their identification through the framework. The first column presents the theme, followed by its representation in a specific scene and dialogue at the denotative level. The subsequent columns analyse the possible biological, psychological, and social factors through connotation, while the final column deciphers the underlying myths shaped by cultural and social norms. This thematic analysis approach can be extended to other films, demonstrating the adaptability of this framework.

Table 1.

Thematic analysis of the film Nightbitch (2024) using BPS-Materno Semiotics.

THEMES IDENTIFIED USING BPS MATERNO-SEMIOTICS	DENOTATIVE LEVEL	CONNOTATIVE LEVEL			MYTH
	RELEVANT SCENES AND DIALOGUES	BIOLOGICAL FACTORS	PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS	SOCIAL FACTORS	UNDERLYING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL NORMS
1. Maternal Exhaustion & Sleep Deprivation	Scene: Night time struggle to put kid to sleep Mom: It's my fault he doesn't sleep… but I liked it when he slept on my chest like a cozy warm heater (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:10:35).	Maternal sleep cycle disruptions impact emotional control and cognitive performance, which in turn leads to postpartum depression.	Prolonged exhaustion, guilt, and worry about not being a good mother.	The expectation in society for mothers to handle children alone and the absence of shared parental responsibilities [21].	Good mothers should be able to calm their kids naturally. Sleep deprivation is framed as a test of affection [21].
2. Body Transformation & Postpartum Identity Crisis	Scene: Observing physical changes in the mirror, noticing fur growth. Mom: What fresh hell awaits you today? (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:12:35).	Postpartum hormonal shifts may trigger sensory distortions, hallucinations, and somatic symptoms [22].	Dissociation, intrusive thoughts, or altered self-perception are some of the symptoms of PPD that can result in imagined physical changes [23].	Maternal anger and fatigue are externalised in the movie as animalistic characteristics that represent repressed urges and aspirations [24].	The adjustment to motherhood should be easy, and instincts as a mother should come naturally. This is undermined by the grotesque metamorphosis, which reveals maternal difficulties [15].
3. Trapped Housewife Syndrome	Scene: Discussion with husband about staying home. Mom: Yeah, I am the housewife I never wanted to be (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:15:14). Dad: It's better than leaving him with those awful ladies at daycare (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:15:30).	According to Brummelte and Galea [22], prolonged maternal stress raises cortisol levels, which raises the likelihood of anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline.	Sentiments of identity loss, hatred, and imprisonment [25].	Stress results from the societal assumption that women should forgo employment in order to provide full-time care [25]. Patriarchal expectations, lack of job fulfilment, and economic reliance [26].	Women should be thankful to stay at home since motherhood is a gift. It idealises the selfless homemaker [21].
4. Maternal Rage & Repressed Anger	Scenes: Inner monologue at supermarket; killing the cat and; conversation with husband. Mom: I would love to feel content. But instead, I feel like I'm just stuck inside a prison of my own creation… (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:01:18). Dad: You always think that something is wrong with you (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:14:55).	Postpartum anger and intrusive thoughts are aggravated by emotional instability caused by oxytocin and cortisol dysregulation [22].	Internalised guilt, repression of unpleasant feelings, and dissatisfaction with society's expectations of parenthood [24].	Emotional isolation is reinforced by the lack of support and judgement [21]. The mother's interaction with her husband exposes the lack of emotional understanding and practical support, a crucial social risk factor for PPD [27].	For the sake of the family's welfare, mothers should control their temper. This anticipation is challenged by the violent eruption [21,28].
5. Economic Struggles & Lack of Maternal Benefits	Scene: Mothers’ discussion in the Book Babies on, motherhood and maternity leave. Mom: You are going to get no maternal benefits… and there is a billion-dollar industry designed to make you feel like a terrible mother (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:54:00). Liz: My sister who lives in Berlin now got two years of paid maternity leave. (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:54:24).	Postpartum anxiety is exacerbated by financial instability and discrimination against mothers in the job [29].	Concern for one's financial stability and irritation at the lack of support can cause stress. Financial survival and unpaid care giving can lead to stress and mental strain [25].	Lack of social safety nets for mothers and restricted maternity leave.	It is believed that mothers should handle everything on their own without expecting help. The myth of the independent mother normalises maternal burnout [26].
6. Memories & Intergenerational Trauma	Scene: Flashbacks of mother sacrificing career, scene of mother running like a dog. Mom: Why do these memories of my mother before she died keep coming back to me? Why now? (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:26:28).	Elevated cortisol levels cause stress-related memory recall, which connects maternal trauma with postpartum suffering [30].	The battle to redefine motherhood, unresolved maternal wounds, and repressed sadness [23].	Mothers are expected by society to bear suffering in silence generation after generation without admitting it [28].	One essential aspect of being a woman is making sacrifices. Self-denial is a generational loop [21,28].
7. Transformation into the ‘Other’ (Animalistic Instincts)	Scenes: Physical transformation into a dog, killing the rabbit Voiceover: I am hair, and blood, and bone. I am instinct and anger. I know nothing but the night air (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:47:01). Mom: I'm gonna crush its skull. Blood! Blood! Blood! (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:48:03).	Raw, primordial reactions to maternal anxiety are amplified by elevated adrenaline and neurochemical changes [31].	Release of repressed emotions through an altered, instinct-driven identity [32].	Mothers who defy expectations are called feral or hysterical [24].	Women who break conventions become monsters. Killing the rabbit, a fertility symbol, signifies rejecting idealised motherhood [33].
8. Reclaiming Agency & Maternal Power	Scene: Realisation of strength, acknowledgment of sacrifice Mom: I am a woman. I am an animal. I am new and also ancient. I have been ashamed, but I will be no more (Nightbitch, 2024, 00:49:18).	Hormonal stability post-crisis signal psychological reintegration [22].	Redefining the identity beyond sacrifice and understanding the challenges faced by mothers (Audre [34]).	Regaining self-authorship and rejecting passive motherhood roles [21].	Mothers are expected to be calm and satisfied. Defiance of this notion is symbolised by the transformation [21].

Conclusion

This study exhibits the usefulness of the BPS Materno-Semiotics Framework in analysing maternal mental health in films by using it to analyse Nightbitch (2024). This framework allows for a two-layered interpretation that captures the cultural myths that influence how motherhood is portrayed as well as the psychological reality of motherhood by combining the Biopsychosocial (BPS) Model (1977) and Semiotic Analysis [2].

Key themes like maternal exhaustion, body transformation, identity crises, and societal pressures are identified through thematic analysis using the framework. Each theme is examined through the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors as well as the underlying cultural myths that shape it. This systematic method allows for an intricate knowledge of how films deliver mother experiences, exposing both their realistic portrayals and ideological roots.

Beyond Nightbitch (2024), the BPS Materno-Semiotics Framework offers a replicable approach to analyse mental health and parenthood in other films. It is a beneficial instrument for research in film studies, gender studies, psychology, and mental health because of its multidisciplinary nature, which provides fresh perspectives on how society views of motherhood by cinematic portrayals. Future studies might further examine how media shapes and challenges narratives of maternal identity by using this approach to various cultural and cinematic contexts.

Method validation

N/A.

Limitations

Not applicable.

Ethics statements

None.

CRediT author statement

J Priyadharshini: Conceptualization, Methodology, R K Jaishree Karthiga: Writing – review & editing.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Data availability

Data will be made available on request.