Psychological growth after childbirth: an exploratory prospective study
Daisuke Nishi1,2, Kentaro Usuda1,2
1a Toda Chuo Women's Hospital, Toda, Japan.
Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|September 21, 2016
Summary
First-time mothers may experience psychological growth after childbirth, particularly if they have higher resilience and less fear. This positive transformation, known as posttraumatic growth (PTG), offers new possibilities and personal strength.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Maternal Health
- Posttraumatic Growth
Background:
- Focusing solely on negative aspects of childbirth, like perinatal depression, overlooks potential positive psychological changes.
- Understanding posttraumatic growth (PTG) factors is crucial for a holistic view of maternal psychological well-being after childbirth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate psychological growth post-childbirth in mothers.
- To identify variables associated with different factors of posttraumatic growth (PTG).
- To explore five key PTG factors: relating to others, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation of life.
Main Methods:
- Recruited pregnant women in mid-pregnancy in Japan.
- Assessed psychological growth using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) one month after childbirth.
- Employed multivariable regression analysis to identify associated variables.
Main Results:
- Higher resilience and less fear during childbirth were linked to PTG factors like relating to others, new possibilities, and personal strength.
- First-time mothers (primipara) showed associations with relating to others, new possibilities, and appreciation of life.
- High depressive symptoms in primipara were associated with a greater appreciation of life; no variables correlated with spiritual change.
Conclusions:
- Childbirth, especially for first-time mothers, can be a catalyst for psychological growth (PTG).
- Lower fear during childbirth may promote mothers' psychological development.
- Appreciation of life warrants further attention as a potential coping mechanism post-childbirth.
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