Sense of Coherence in the Perinatal Period: A Longitudinal Growth Mixture Modeling Analysis

Area of Science:

• Perinatal mental health
• Psychological resilience
• Maternal wellbeing

Background:

• Higher Sense of Coherence (SoC) is linked to better perinatal outcomes.
• Limited understanding exists regarding SoC changes and influencing factors throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and predict common trajectories of Sense of Coherence (SoC) during the perinatal period.
• To identify risk and protective factors associated with SoC changes.

Main Methods:

• Growth mixture modeling analyzed SoC data from 680 women across four perinatal time points.
• Multinomial logistic regression identified predictors of SoC trajectories.
• Predictors included childhood trauma history, birth/postpartum expectations and outcomes, social support, and early pregnancy depression.

Main Results:

• Four distinct SoC trajectories were identified: High (67%), Low (21%), Rising (8%), and Falling (3%).
• Early pregnancy depression was associated with Low and Rising SoC trajectories.
• Childhood trauma history predicted Low and Falling SoC trajectories.

Conclusions:

• Childhood trauma significantly predicts lower SoC at 12 months postpartum.
• Early depression is a strong predictor of an initial lower SoC.
• Targeted perinatal mental health interventions are crucial for bolstering maternal coping resources.