BACKGROUND: First-time mothers commonly experience stress and depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. Maternal self-efficacy has been shown to be an important protective factor against these experiences; however, research on the dynamic nature of stress, depressive symptoms, and maternal self-efficacy is limited. The aim of this study was to document changes in these psychological factors among first-time mothers, and determine how early maternal self-efficacy perceptions may predict change in stress and depressive symptoms over the first 6 months postpartum. METHODS: Sixty first-time Australian mothers were recruited during their third trimester of pregnancy. Participants completed a baseline survey during the third trimester of pregnancy (M = 32.87 weeks, SD = 2.62 weeks), and subsequently reported stress, depressive symptoms, and maternal self-efficacy every 3 weeks postpartum for 6 months. Latent growth curve modelling was used to estimate participants' change over time for stress and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: First-time mothers' stress and depressive symptoms peaked, and maternal self-efficacy was weakest, at 3 weeks postpartum. Maternal self-efficacy at 3 weeks postpartum was a significant (negative) predictor of 3-week levels of, and also (positively) predicted later reductions in, stress. CONCLUSION: Future interventions aimed at bolstering early maternal self-efficacy may protect against postpartum stress for first-time mothers.
BACKGROUND: First-time mothers commonly experience stress and depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. Maternal self-efficacy has been shown to be an important protective factor against these experiences; however, research on the dynamic nature of stress, depressive symptoms, and maternal self-efficacy is limited. The aim of this study was to document changes in these psychological factors among first-time mothers, and determine how early maternal self-efficacy perceptions may predict change in stress and depressive symptoms over the first 6 months postpartum. METHODS: Sixty first-time Australian mothers were recruited during their third trimester of pregnancy. Participants completed a baseline survey during the third trimester of pregnancy (M = 32.87 weeks, SD = 2.62 weeks), and subsequently reported stress, depressive symptoms, and maternal self-efficacy every 3 weeks postpartum for 6 months. Latent growth curve modelling was used to estimate participants' change over time for stress and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: First-time mothers' stress and depressive symptoms peaked, and maternal self-efficacy was weakest, at 3 weeks postpartum. Maternal self-efficacy at 3 weeks postpartum was a significant (negative) predictor of 3-week levels of, and also (positively) predicted later reductions in, stress. CONCLUSION: Future interventions aimed at bolstering early maternal self-efficacy may protect against postpartum stress for first-time mothers.
Authors: Yi Zhu; Xuan Zhou; Xiaoxu Yin; Lei Qiu; Na Sun; Rongrong An; Yanhong Gong Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2022-07-07 Impact factor: 3.105
Authors: Fabiana Monteiro; Marco Pereira; Maria Cristina Canavarro; Ana Fonseca Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-06-29 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Cecilia Peñacoba Puente; Carlos Suso-Ribera; Sheila Blanco Rico; Dolores Marín; Jesús San Román Montero; Patricia Catalá Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-11 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Qun Wang; Yao Zhang; Xilin Li; Ziwen Ye; Lingling Huang; Yan Zhang; Xujuan Zheng Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-10 Impact factor: 3.390