Abstract
This study analyzes the moderating role of avoidant coping (in early pregnancy) in the relationship between postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms and maternal perceptions about mother–baby relations and self-confidence. Participants were 116 low-risk obstetric mothers (mean age = 31.2 years, SD = 3.95, range 23–42) who received care and gave birth at a Spanish public hospital. Measurements were made at two points in time: at first trimester of pregnancy (maternal avoidance coping) and four months after childbirth (PPD and maternal perceptions). Avoidant coping was associated with the perception of the baby as irritable and unstable (p = 0.003), including irritability during lactation (p = 0.041). Interaction effects of avoidant coping and postpartum depression were observed on the perception of the baby as irritable (p = 0.031) and with easy temperament (p = 0.002). Regarding the mother’s self-confidence, avoidant coping was related to a lack of security in caring for the baby (p < 0.001) and had a moderating effect between PPD and mother’s self-confidence (i.e., lack of security in caring for the baby, p =0.027; general security, p = 0.007). Interaction effects showed that the use of avoidant coping in the mother exacerbated the impact of PPD on the early mother–infant relationship.
Highlights
The process towards motherhood implies a vital change for women
In line with this study, our results showed that, even when the contribution of post-partum depression (PPD) was controlled for, avoidant coping in early pregnancy was significantly associated with several variables from maternalinfant relationships
Given the relationship between avoidant coping and PPD [28], it is possible that a reduced variability of avoidant coping scores in high PPD samples would result in a reduction moderating role of avoidant coping in the relationship between PPD and mother–infant relations
Summary
The process towards motherhood implies a vital change for women. This involves significant psychological, social, and physiological consequences, which increases their vulnerability for mental diseases [1]. PPD is associated with important consequences for both the mother and the newborn [4,5] For the mother, it is manifested in symptoms such as low mood, reduced activity and energy, loss of enjoyment, reduced self-esteem, self-harm or suicide thoughts, sadness, guilt, or sleeping and eating disorders, among others [6,7,8]. Postpartum depression constitutes a serious public health problem associated with disability, comorbidity, and increased mortality through suicide [4]
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