L’anxiété paternelle et maternelle postnatale et ses liens avec les dimensions relationnelles

Abstract

Aim of the studyThis study examined postpartum functioning of mothers and fathers so as to assess their interpersonal dimensions and potential needs of support. A second goal was to identify – among these psychosocial factors – those, which were associated with parental postnatal anxiety. MethodOne hundred and four volunteer couples were studied longitudinally at the first and the third postpartum month (52 fathers and 52 mothers living in heterosexual couple; 29 “primiparents” and 23 “multiparents”). Individual questionnaires on state anxiety (STAI-Y), social support (SSQ6), dyadic adjustment (DAS16), and importance of support needs (instrumental and emotional) were used. ResultsThe fathers presented similar means scores both on the situational anxiety, social support (quality and quantity), marital adjustment and needs of support than mothers. The social support, the dyadic adjustment and the needs of emotional support significantly predicted postpartum anxiety on our entire sample. Some differences in the timing and parental sex were revealed. During the first month, the dyadic adjustment and the needs of emotional support were significantly and independently associated with both paternal and maternal anxiety. During the third month, the results showed that the main psychosocial factor, namely quality of marital relationship, contributed to paternal anxiety; whereas it was social support in group of mothers. ConclusionThe key findings of this study are twofold. On one hand, the two groups – fathers and mothers – presented similar results about interpersonal variables and anxiety levels. We suggest that new ways of supporting men becoming parent should be developed. We also found that dyadic adjustment significantly predicted postpartum paternal anxiety, thus new parents could be given a support on the communication between the couple.