Internal and External Contributors to Maternal Mental Health and Marital Adaptation One Year After Birth: Comparisons of Mothers of Pre-Term and Full-Term Twins

Abstract

ABSTRACT This longitudinal study examined the contribution of infants' temperament, mother's attachment style, and perceived grandmother's support following delivery, to the psychological mental health and marital adaptation of first time and non-first time Israeli mothers of pre-term (n = 70) and full-term (n = 78) twins, a year later. We collected data for the current study over 2 years (2003–2004). The findings suggested that the extent of mothers' personal and familial stress and their internal resource of attachment style played a crucial role in their mental health and marital adaptation. The external resource of grandmother's support contributed directly to the mothers' marital adaptation, whereas it contributed to their mental health only when infant's temperament was perceived to be difficult. Interestingly, the association between stress and adaptation was stronger among mothers of full-term twins than mothers of pre-term twins. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.