Evolution of Life Satisfaction Throughout the Gestation Process and at Different Postpartum Stages

Background: Life satisfaction during the perinatal period has gained increasing attention as a relevant indicator of mental health, providing a more complete view of women's adaptation to motherhood. Methods: This study examines the evolution of life satisfaction across four time points: the third trimester of pregnancy (T1), 8 weeks after birth (T2), 5 months after birth (T3) and 5 years postpartum (T4). A total of 231 women participated in this longitudinal study. Participants completed an ad hoc questionnaire for sociodemographic data and standardized self-report measures assessing different personality variables (attachment style, social support, maternal self-efficacy and positive/negative affect) at T1 as well as the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) (T1-T4). Statistical analyses were performed in order to evaluate the relationships between variables (Student's test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation), and a linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the contribution of psychosocial variables at each time point. Additional subgroup analyses (employment status and parity) were carried out. Results: Results showed that at the first and second time points, life satisfaction was maintained, but five months after birth (T3), it decreased, and then it changed again five years after birth, increasing to its highest level. The psychosocial variables significantly associated with changes in life satisfaction varied across time points. Differential profiles are also observed depending on the subgroup. Conclusions: These findings suggest that monitoring these variables throughout the perinatal period may help identify women at risk and guide interventions in addition to preventive programs aimed at promoting well-being during the perinatal period and into motherhood.