Postnatal traumatic symptoms and shame: A cross-sectional study examining the role of birth, breastfeeding, psychological flexibility and self-compassion

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine factors associated with maternal post-traumatic stress (PTS) and shame, including adverse childbirth and breastfeeding events, subjective childbirth and breastfeeding experiences, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion. MethodsA convenience sample of 405 community-recruited mothers of infants (<2 years) from Australia and New Zealand completed an online cross-sectional survey. A series of hierarchical multiple regressions tested potential predictors of PTS and shame. ResultsBirth experiences (low autonomy/support and high fear) predicted PTS symptoms. Negative subjective birth experiences (low autonomy/support), negative breastfeeding experiences, younger maternal age and financial stress predicted shame. Addition of psychological flexibility and self-compassion improved both regression models. Psychological flexibility predicted both PTS and shame, and moderated relationships between both fear and low autonomy/support and PTS. Self-compassion predicted shame and moderated the relationship between low autonomy/support and shame. ConclusionSubjective experiences of birth and breastfeeding are important. Psychological flexibility buffers the impact of a difficult birth experience on PTS, and self-compassion on shame.