Justine Dol1, Brianna Richardson2, Amy Grant3, Megan Aston2, Douglas McMillan4, Gail Tomblin Murphy5, Marsha Campbell-Yeo2,4. 1. Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. 2. School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. 3. Maritime SPOR Support Unit, Halifax, NS, Canada. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal Perinatal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. 5. Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: After giving birth, women experience significant changes related to maternal self-efficacy and social support and are at risk of experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression. PROBLEM: No studies have focused on the relationship between parity and infant age and their impact on psychosocial outcomes, particularly in a Canadian context. AIM: To explore the relationship between parity and infant age on perceived maternal self-efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression. METHODS: Women from three Canadian provinces within the first 6 months postpartum completed standardized online questionnaires. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to examine the primary aim. FINDINGS: A total of 561 women (56.5% primiparous, 55.1% infant 0-3 months) participated. There were significant main effects for both parity (P < .001) and age of infant (P < .001), but no significant interaction (P = .463). Primiparous women had lower maternal self-efficacy (P = .004) and higher postpartum anxiety (P = .000) than multiparous women. Women with younger infants had more perceived social support (P = .002). Women with older infants had higher levels of postpartum anxiety (P = .003) and depression (P = .000). DISCUSSION: The transition that women experience, independent of parity, within the first six months is dynamic with women of older infants experiencing more postpartum mental health concerns and less perceived social support. Our findings emphasize that postnatal support should extend beyond the typical six-week follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Additional studies are warranted to determine ways to provide ongoing support throughout the first six months and beyond to improve maternal well-being and address postpartum needs.
BACKGROUND: After giving birth, women experience significant changes related to maternal self-efficacy and social support and are at risk of experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression. PROBLEM: No studies have focused on the relationship between parity and infant age and their impact on psychosocial outcomes, particularly in a Canadian context. AIM: To explore the relationship between parity and infant age on perceived maternal self-efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression. METHODS:Women from three Canadian provinces within the first 6 months postpartum completed standardized online questionnaires. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to examine the primary aim. FINDINGS: A total of 561 women (56.5% primiparous, 55.1% infant 0-3 months) participated. There were significant main effects for both parity (P < .001) and age of infant (P < .001), but no significant interaction (P = .463). Primiparous women had lower maternal self-efficacy (P = .004) and higher postpartum anxiety (P = .000) than multiparous women. Women with younger infants had more perceived social support (P = .002). Women with older infants had higher levels of postpartum anxiety (P = .003) and depression (P = .000). DISCUSSION: The transition that women experience, independent of parity, within the first six months is dynamic with women of older infants experiencing more postpartum mental health concerns and less perceived social support. Our findings emphasize that postnatal support should extend beyond the typical six-week follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Additional studies are warranted to determine ways to provide ongoing support throughout the first six months and beyond to improve maternal well-being and address postpartum needs.
Authors: Cara F Ruggiero; Michele E Marini; Clare H Llewellyn; Susan M McHale; Ian M Paul; Jennifer S Savage Journal: Pediatr Obes Date: 2022-03-03 Impact factor: 3.910
Authors: Cara F Ruggiero; Amy M Moore; Michele E Marini; Stephen R Kodish; Susan M McHale; Jennifer S Savage Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2022-06-07 Impact factor: 8.915