Perceptions Of Partner Support Research Articles

Preventing postnatal depression in new mothers using telephone peer support: protocol for the DAISY (Depression and AnxIety peer Support studY) multi-centre randomised controlled trial

IntroductionPostnatal depression affects up to one in six new mothers in Australia each year, with significant impacts on the woman and her family. Prevention strategies can be complicated by a...

“Perfectly supportive in theory…”: Women’s perceptions of partner support while breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is an important public health issue that significantly intersects with work, gender, and family relationships. Prior research has focused on partner dynamics in the breastfeeding family and specifically shown that male partners heavily influence women’s breastfeeding decisions and experiences. Much of this research emphasizes net gains of men’s involvement in breastfeeding. While acknowledging the importance of involved fathers early on, we argue for recognizing the dual potential for men’s involvement in breastfeeding to be both affirming and undermining to their breastfeeding partners. As part of a workplace case study, we conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 32 women who were currently or recently breastfeeding. We identified four major themes: (1) encouraging/discouraging breastfeeding, (2) acknowledging/overlooking breastfeeding labor, (3) supporting/undermining breastfeeding decisions and goals, and (4) assisting with/avoiding domestic labor. Education directed at men should address the issue that not all intended support actions may be perceived as supportive by breastfeeding women and should provide concrete guidance on how men can be supportive, centering the needs of breastfeeding women.

Validation of perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder questionnaire for Spanish women during the postpartum period

To determine the psychometric properties of the Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Questionnaire (PPQ) in Spanish. A cross-sectional study of 432 Spanish puerperal women was conducted, following ethical approval. The PPQ was administered online through midwives' associations across Spain. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to diagnose postnatal depression for examining criterion validity. Data were collected on sociodemographic, obstetric, and neonatal variables. An exploratory factorial analysis (EFA) was performed with convergence and criterion validation. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's α. The EFA identified three components that explained 63.3% of variance. The PPQ's convergence validation associated the risk of PTSD with variables including birth plan, type of birth, hospital length of stay, hospital readmission, admission of the newborn to care unit, skin-to-skin contact, maternal feeding at discharge, maternal perception of partner support, and respect shown by healthcare professionals during childbirth and puerperium. The area under the ROC curve for the risk of postnatal depression (criterion validity) was 0.86 (95% CI 0.82–0.91). Internal consistency with Cronbach's α value was 0.896. The PPQ used when screening for PTSD in postpartum Spanish women showed adequate psychometric properties.

In Sickness and in Health: The Role of Housework Engagement in Work Productivity despite Presenteeism.

The present study is one of the first to investigate the effects of housework engagement on work productivity despite sickness presenteeism and to explore personality traits (i.e., conscientiousness) and gender differences among couples. Based on a sample of 180 heterosexual couples, an integrated model of both housework and workplace realities was proposed and tested based on the actor-partner interdependence model using structural equation modeling. The results verify that the higher the degree of women's conscientiousness, the greater their and their partners' level of productivity despite presenteeism. In addition, the higher the couple's perception of partner support is, the greater their level of work productivity despite health problems, for both men and women. Results also confirm that housework engagement mediates the relationships between both conscientiousness and perceived partner support and work productivity despite health problems, for women, but not for men. This study denotes an advance in the literature on the relationships between personal and social resources within the family domain and work productivity despite sickness presenteeism. The findings support the applicability of the resource perspective of the Job Demands-Resources theory (JD-R) (i.e., motivational branch) to housework, as well as extend existing presenteeism models by providing evidence for the inclusion of the family domain in explaining this organizational phenomenon.

Elaboration and Validation of Two Predictive Models of Postpartum Traumatic Stress Disorder Risk Formed by Variables Related to the Birth Process: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This study aimed to develop and validate two predictive models of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk using a retrospective cohort study of women who gave birth between 2018 and 2019 in Spain. The predictive models were developed using a referral cohort of 1752 women (2/3) and were validated on a cohort of 875 women (1/3). The predictive factors in model A were delivery type, skin-to-skin contact, admission of newborn to care unit, presence of a severe tear, type of infant feeding at discharge, postpartum hospital readmission. The area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) in the referral cohort was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.67–0.74), while in the validation cohort, it was 0.69 (95% CI: 0.63–0.75). The predictive factors in model B were delivery type, admission of newborn to care unit, type of infant feeding at discharge, postpartum hospital readmission, partner support, and the perception of adequate respect from health professionals. The predictive capacity of model B in both the referral cohort and the validation cohort was superior to model A with an AUC-ROC of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.79–0.85) and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78–0.87), respectively. A predictive model (model B) formed by clinical variables and the perception of partner support and appropriate treatment by health professionals had a good predictive capacity in both the referral and validation cohorts. This model is preferred over the model (model A) that was formed exclusively by clinical variables.

Enhancing Outcomes of Low-Intensity Parenting Groups Through Sufficient Exemplar Training: A Randomized Control Trial

Low-intensity parenting groups, such as the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program Discussion Groups, appear to be a cost-effective intervention for child conduct problems. Several studies evaluating a Triple P Discussion Group on disobedience found promising results for improving child and parent outcomes. However, a sufficient exemplar training approach that incorporates generalization promotion strategies may assist parents to more flexibly apply positive parenting principles to a broader range of child target behaviors and settings, leading to greater change. We compared the effects of sufficient exemplar training to an existing narrowly focused low-intensity intervention. Participants were 78 families with a 5–8 year-old child. Sufficient exemplar training resulted in more robust changes in child behavior and superior outcomes for mothers on measures of parenting behavior, parenting self-efficacy, mental health, and perceptions of partner support at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up. These results indicate that teaching sufficient exemplars may promote generalization leading to enhanced intervention outcomes.

Perceptions of partner support among pregnant plurisexual women: A qualitative study

ABSTRACTAlthough partner support is an established determinant of mental health, we know little about bisexual and other plurisexual people's experiences of support from their partners. Furthermore, very limited research has examined how bisexual or plurisexual people experience partner support during pregnancy, a significant life stage for many couples. This paper draws from semi-structured interviews with 29 plurisexual women partnered with different-gender (i.e. cisgender male or transgender) partners to examine women's perceptions of partner support during pregnancy. While participants reported many of the same partner support issues and dynamics that have been described in research with monosexual childbearing women, their experiences as plurisexual women were unique in two regards: (a) unconditional acceptance from partners was connected to the partner's support for their plurisexual identities/histories; and (b) social integration support often included shared integration into social networks related to their plurisexual experiences, including sexual networks. These findings offer important implications for sexual and relationship therapists, who can play an important role in helping to foster these plurisexual-specific forms of partner support, and in so doing, improve outcomes for women during this significant life stage.

Relational turbulence and perceptions of partner support during reintegration after military deployment

ABSTRACTThe transition from deployment to reintegration can be stressful for returning military personnel and at-home partners, and support plays a key role in their ability to transition effectively. We draw on relational turbulence theory to advance predictions about how parameters of the relationship between returning service members and at-home partners predict their perceptions of their partner’s support during the post-deployment transition. We surveyed 235 individuals (117 returning service members, 118 at-home partners) who had experienced the transition within the past 6 months. Findings consistent with the theory indicated that relational turbulence partially mediated the negative associations that relational uncertainty and interference from a partner shared with partner support. Partner uncertainty was a direct negative predictor of partner support as well. We consider how these results extend theory, research, and practice.

Impact of a Group Prenatal Program for Pregnant Adolescents on Perceived Partner Support

This quasi-experimental study compared family formation and perceived partner support among pregnant adolescents in a prenatal care program. Participants were assigned to either an intervention group utilizing centering pregnancy (CP) prenatal care and case management, or to a comparison group receiving case management only. Partners were invited to participate in CP group sessions. This study included 173 predominantly minority pregnant adolescents ages 15–18 years who were enrolled in a prenatal program and followed one month postpartum. Family formation included living and relationship arrangements. Perceived partner support included six domains of perceived social provisions. Data were collected through participants’ self-reports using computer-assisted self-interviews. Changes in family formation and perceptions of partner support from baseline to postpartum did not differ between intervention and comparison groups. Male partners who attended at least one CP session were perceived as more supportive at both the beginning and end of the program than partners who did not attend any sessions. After combining groups, pregnant adolescents reported a significant shift in family formation and increased monetary support from partners from baseline to postpartum. Partner support is important for ensuring positive pregnancy outcomes. Additional strategies are needed to engage young fathers who do not readily provide support during pregnancy.

213. Pregnant Adolescents' Family Formation and Perceived Partner Supportiveness in Early Pregnancy and Postpartum

Lack of partner support during adolescent pregnancy and postpartum are associated with negative maternal health behaviors, adverse emotional health, and low birth weight. Engaging young expectant fathers in prenatal pregnancy programs can improve birth outcomes; however, interventions designed to involve male partners are largely lacking. This study examined the impact of a prenatal program on pregnant adolescents' family formation and perceptions of partner support.

Perceived social support interacts with prenatal depression to predict birth outcomes

Prenatal depression has been linked to adverse reproductive outcomes including preterm labor and delivery, and low birth weight. Social support also has been linked to birth outcomes, and may buffer infants from the adverse impact of maternal depression. In this prospective study, 235 pregnant women completed questionnaires about depression and social support. Clinical interviews were administered to assess for DSM-IV axis I disorders. Following delivery, birth outcomes were obtained from medical records. Babies of depressed mothers weighed less, were born earlier and had lower Apgar scores than babies of nondepressed mothers. Depressed women had smaller social support networks and were less satisfied with support from social networks. We found no direct associations between perceived social support and birth weight. However, depressed women who rated their partners as less supportive had babies who were born earlier and had lower Apgar scores than depressed mothers with higher perceived partner support. Women's perception of partner support appears to buffer infants of depressed mothers from potential adverse outcomes. These results are notable in light of the low-risk nature of our sample and point to the need for continued depression screening in pregnant women and a broader view of risk for adverse birth outcomes. The results also suggest a possible means of intervention that may ultimately lead to reductions in adverse birth outcomes.

“Male Involvement” in Women and Children's HIV Prevention: Challenges in Definition and Interpretation

“Male Involvement” in Women and Children's HIV Prevention: Challenges in Definition and Interpretation

Posttraumatic stress symptoms and postpartum depression in couples after childbirth: The role of partner support and attachment

Aim The roles of partner attachment and perceptions of partner support were explored in relation to symptoms of posttraumatic stress and postpartum depression in couples within the first three postnatal months. Methods Participants ( n = 372) were recruited within the first seven days postpartum, and completed questionnaire measures of trait anxiety, symptoms of acute posttraumatic stress, and perceptions of partner support. Postal questionnaires were completed at six weeks and three months, assessing attachment, perception of partner support, symptoms of posttraumatic stress, and postpartum depression. Two hundred and twelve couples completed all time-points. Results Results indicated that symptoms were significantly related within couples. Men's acute trauma symptoms predicted their partner's subsequent symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Less secure attachment and dissatisfaction with partner support were associated with higher levels of postpartum depression and posttraumatic stress. Conclusions Men's and women's responses following childbirth appear to be strongly interlinked; services should target both members of the dyad.

Adult Attachment and Exploration: Linking Attachment Style to Motivation and Perceptions of Support in Adult Exploration

Taking an attachment theory perspective, the present studies investigated partner-related motives for exploration and perceptions of romantic partners as persons who might provide support for exploration. We argue, from an attachment theory perspective, that more avoidant persons may use exploration as a way to distance themselves from their partners, whereas more anxious persons may use exploration as a means of getting closer to or depending on their partners. Attachment theory also suggests that more insecure individuals will tend to see their partners as providing less support and less effective support for exploration. Our research found support for both of these hypotheses. In this article we also investigate potential mediating models for linking attachment style to motives for exploration and perceptions of partner support.

Women's perceptions of partner support and conflict in the development of postpartum depressive symptoms

This paper reports a study examining the influence of maternal perceptions of conflict and relationship- and postpartum-specific support from the partner on the development of depressive symptoms in the first 8-weeks postpartum. Although the quality of a woman's relationship with her partner has been associated with risk for postpartum depression, few studies have examined which elements of partner-specific support and conflict are determinants of maternal mental health. Self-administered measures of partner support (Social Provisions Checklist, Postpartum Partner Support Scale), partner conflict (Quality of Relationships Inventory), and depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) were mailed postnatally to a population-based sample of 396 mothers between April 2001 to January 2002. Differences in partner support and conflict at 1 and 4-weeks postpartum were examined between those women who met criteria for probable depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale > 9) and those who did not meet criteria for probable depression at 8-weeks postpartum. Women with depressive symptoms at 8-weeks postpartum had significantly lower perceptions of relationship-specific and postpartum-specific partner support and significantly higher levels of relationship conflict than women with no depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analyses revealed that three variables, perceived social integration, partner encouragement to obtain help when needed, and partner agreed with infant care, significantly explained the variance in Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores. Maternal perceptions of social integration and partner provision of problem-focused informational support and positive feedback are important in determining maternal mental health. Therefore, in the antenatal period healthcare professionals should teach couples appropriate ways to provide feedback and communicate expectations, especially those relating to infant care strategies. The importance of appraisal and emotional support should be highlighted in order to foster maternal feelings of acceptance and being cared for. Partners should also be encouraged to participate actively in household tasks and infant care activities to protect the mother from becoming overwhelmed.

Women's Perceptions of Partner Support in the Context of Pregnancy Loss(es)

Misunderstandings concerning expected and perceived support and expectations about how to grieve at the time of pregnancy loss have the potential to create stress within a partner dyad. Audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews, with eight women from varying contexts, were transcribed and analysed using Charmaz' grounded theory in this qualitative study. Voices of these participants express their perceptions regarding the support they feel they did, or did not receive at this time. Some women were unable to turn to their partners due to existing relationship problems. Many women were able to turn to their partners, but some found that support was not sustained. Women appear to want emotional support from their male partners. When this is not forthcoming, they may perceive their partners' support as negative or lacking. Potential areas of conflict are highlighted and suggestions are made regarding helpful informational support from health professionals.