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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Associations between Prenatal Factors and Self-Reported Emotional Availability at 3- and 6-Months Postpartum
OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, Vol.7(3), pp.1-30
2022
Abstract
Positive perceptions of pregnancy are associated with better postpartum outcomes, including stronger relationship with baby. Although better self-reported emotional availability (EA-SR) is associated with greater attachment security with infants, research has not yet explored the relationship between prenatal maternal factors and EA-SR. The aim of the study was to explore the associations between prenatal variables (adult attachment, shame, compassion) and EA-SR at 3- and 6-months postpartum. A cross-sectional survey design based on a convenience sample of pregnant Australian women completed the survey at three time points: pregnancy (3rd trimester, n = 133), and again at 3- (n = 65) and 6-months (n = 40) postpartum. Five, 5-step, hierarchical multiple regressions revealed the model (mean maternal age/prenatal attachment/shame/compassion/psychological adjustment) significantly explained 62% in self-reported maternal hostility, 53% in self-reported child involvement, and 52% in self-reported mutual attunement, at 6-months postpartum. Higher levels of prenatal internal shame were related to less self-reported child involvement (p = 0.04), and more self-reported maternal hostility (p = 0.03), at 3-months postpartum. More prenatal giving compassion was associated with better self-reported affect quality at 3- (p = 0.01) and 6-months postpartum (p = 0.01), and less self-reported hostility (p = 0.02) at 6-months postpartum. Greater understanding of the relationship between prenatal factors and EA-SR may help enhance prenatal care pathways to support women and families at risk of adverse postpartum outcomes.
Details
- Title
- Associations between Prenatal Factors and Self-Reported Emotional Availability at 3- and 6-Months Postpartum
- Authors
- Julia Caldwell (Corresponding Author) - Southern Cross UniversityPamela Meredith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational TherapyKoa Whittingham (Author) - The University of QueenslandJenny Ziviani (Author) - The University of Queensland
- Publication details
- OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, Vol.7(3), pp.1-30
- Publisher
- LIDSEN Publishing Inc.
- Date published
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.21926/obm.icm.2203028
- ISSN
- 2573-4393
- Copyright note
- © 2022 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the conditions of the Creative Commons by Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is correctly cited.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Occupational Therapy; Cancer Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99716198202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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