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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
The complex effects of maternal expectations on postpartum depressive symptoms: when does a protective factor become
Rotem Kahalon1,2, Gil Yanushevsky Cnaani1, Heidi Preis1,3
1Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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.
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