View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

The complex effects of maternal expectations on postpartum depressive symptoms: when does a protective factor become a risk factor?

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The complex effects of maternal expectations on postpartum depressive symptoms: when does a protective factor become a risk factor?
Authors: Kahalon, Rotem (AUTHOR), Yanushevsky Cnaani, Gil (AUTHOR), Preis, Heidi (AUTHOR), Benyamini, Yael (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology. Mar2022, Vol. 43 Issue 1, p74-82. 9p.
Subjects: Mental depression, Prenatal depression, Postpartum depression, Expectation (Psychology), Medical personnel
Abstract: Purpose: The present study assessed the effects of several prenatal maternal expectations on postpartum depression (PPD), while considering two relevant factors - incongruence between planned and actual birth and the rigidity of the birth plan - that can affect whether maternal expectations act as protective factors or risk factors for PPD.Methods: Primiparous women (N = 527) were recruited to a longitudinal study about women's birth choices and experiences. At time 1, during pregnancy, women completed a questionnaire assessing prenatal depression, preferred birth plan, birth plan flexibility-rigidity and maternal expectations (i.e. Natural-Fulfillment, Infant-Reflects-Mothering, Sacrifice). At time 2, two-months post-partum, they reported their actual birth mode and answered a questionnaire assessing their PPD symptoms.Results: Natural-fulfillment maternal expectations were negatively related to PPD symptoms. Yet, the interaction of high natural-fulfillment expectations with an unfulfilled birth plan and the rigidity of the birth plan, served as a risk factor for PPD symptomatology.Conclusions: Understanding the conditions under which specific prenatal maternal expectations serve as a risk factor for PPD, can help healthcare providers identify women who are at high risk for developing PPD symptoms and plan preemptive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Description
Abstract:<bold>Purpose: </bold>The present study assessed the effects of several prenatal maternal expectations on postpartum depression (PPD), while considering two relevant factors - incongruence between planned and actual birth and the rigidity of the birth plan - that can affect whether maternal expectations act as protective factors or risk factors for PPD.<bold>Methods: </bold>Primiparous women (N = 527) were recruited to a longitudinal study about women's birth choices and experiences. At time 1, during pregnancy, women completed a questionnaire assessing prenatal depression, preferred birth plan, birth plan flexibility-rigidity and maternal expectations (i.e. Natural-Fulfillment, Infant-Reflects-Mothering, Sacrifice). At time 2, two-months post-partum, they reported their actual birth mode and answered a questionnaire assessing their PPD symptoms.<bold>Results: </bold>Natural-fulfillment maternal expectations were negatively related to PPD symptoms. Yet, the interaction of high natural-fulfillment expectations with an unfulfilled birth plan and the rigidity of the birth plan, served as a risk factor for PPD symptomatology.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Understanding the conditions under which specific prenatal maternal expectations serve as a risk factor for PPD, can help healthcare providers identify women who are at high risk for developing PPD symptoms and plan preemptive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:0167482X
DOI:10.1080/0167482X.2020.1795826