Fabiana Monteiro1, Ana Fonseca1, Marco Pereira1, Maria C Canavarro1. 1. Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Exploring a wide range of factors associated with flourishing and with the absence of depressive symptoms among postpartum women. METHODS: A sample of 661 postpartum women completed a set of questionnaires assessing sociodemographic and infant-related data, flourishing, psychological flexibility, self-compassion, resilience, and maternal confidence. RESULTS: Younger infant age, higher levels of maternal confidence, and resilience increased the likelihood of flourishing. In turn, higher income, fewer problems with an infant's sleep, perceiving an infant's temperament as easy, and higher psychological flexibility increased the likelihood of not having depressive symptoms. Appraising the support received by others as good and having higher self-compassion increased the likelihood of both outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support positive mental health and mental illness being related but distinct dimensions. Promoting positive mental health in the postpartum period should be an additional goal in public health care as it may efficiently complement the prevention of psychopathology.
OBJECTIVE: Exploring a wide range of factors associated with flourishing and with the absence of depressive symptoms among postpartum women. METHODS: A sample of 661 postpartum women completed a set of questionnaires assessing sociodemographic and infant-related data, flourishing, psychological flexibility, self-compassion, resilience, and maternal confidence. RESULTS: Younger infant age, higher levels of maternal confidence, and resilience increased the likelihood of flourishing. In turn, higher income, fewer problems with an infant's sleep, perceiving an infant's temperament as easy, and higher psychological flexibility increased the likelihood of not having depressive symptoms. Appraising the support received by others as good and having higher self-compassion increased the likelihood of both outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support positive mental health and mental illness being related but distinct dimensions. Promoting positive mental health in the postpartum period should be an additional goal in public health care as it may efficiently complement the prevention of psychopathology.