Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology最新文献

Background: About 12% of mothers experience childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS), which include childbirth-related intrusive memories (CB-IM). These memories involve the involuntary re-experiencing of distressing moments of the birth. Although CB-IM are the hallmark of a traumatic childbirth, there is limited knowledge about their content and other characteristics. This study aims to rigorously investigate the characteristics of CB-IM (count, content, and associated nowness, distress, and sensory modalities) and their relationships with CB-PTSS, which may ultimately inform the development of clinical interventions.

Methods: Forty-four participants reported the characteristics of the 299 CB-IM they experienced in a 14-day long diary and their CB-PTSS in a questionnaire. A qualitative content analysis was performed on CB-IM content. Linear regressions and Poisson-like regression models tested the associations between different CB-IM characteristics and then with CB-PTSS.

Results: Six CB-IM content categories were identified: Physiological process of birth (11.78% of CB-IM qualitative content), Perceptions of complications (16.67%), Experiences of medical procedures (21.72%), Interpersonal stressors (17.68%), Negative emotions (18.01%), and Physical environment (14.14%). Re-experiencing Negative emotions (IRR = 1.05; p = .028) and Physical environment (IRR = 1.08; p = .010) was associated with more CB-PTSS.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the contents of CB-IM, and the associations of CB-IM characteristics with CB-PTSS, which is valuable knowledge for supporting individually tailored treatments.

Background: Fibromyalgia is a stigmatised chronic pain condition, commonly experienced by females of child-bearing age. Fibromyalgia negatively impacts on quality of life, mental and physical health, and relationships. However, little is known about how women and birthing people (WBP)¹ living with fibromyalgia adjust to new parenthood. The current study aimed to address this literature gap.

Methods: Fifteen WBP with fibromyalgia were interviewed about their experiences of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: The current study aimed to explore WBP's experiences of adjustment to parenthood in the context of living with fibromyalgia. Two themes ('Walking in the dark' [sub-themes: the elephant in the room; overlooked for breaking the perinatal mould)] and 'Learning to work with their condition' [sub-themes: Boom (pregnancy) and bust (postpartum); compassion towards pain]) were identified.

Conclusion: Gaps in practitioner knowledge left participants feeling invalidated. While symptoms often eased during pregnancy, many struggled postpartum to balance childcare with their condition. Greater monitoring and support are needed, including pain management and psychological care. Recommendations include proactively discussing fibromyalgia in routine appointments, validating experiences and offering appropriate referrals. Multidisciplinary care and opportunities for peer support may also foster self-compassion and acceptance for these WBP.

Background: There is growing evidence that antenatal education incorporating relaxation practices can positively influence perinatal psychological wellbeing. However, a paucity of qualitative research is evident. Gaining insight into how and why such education may influence childbearing women, can inform the design of effective educational interventions. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of women and their partners on how and why a single Antenatal Relaxation Class (ARC) might influence perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences.

Method: In this descriptive qualitative study, 17 women and 9 partners participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study was carried out in a Scottish NHS Health Board where ARC was provided to expectant parents.

Findings: Two themes were generated, namely: 'the turning point', and 'recognition of an inner resource'. Participants perceived ARC as 'the turning point' when they became more confident, equipped, and less fearful and anxious towards childbirth. 'Understanding of the psychophysiological processes of childbirth', 'positive stories', and 'practice of relaxation techniques' were reported as the main reasons for these positive changes. Participants explained ARC had enabled them to access a deep sense of calmness as 'an inner resource' and motivated the use of relaxation techniques as a self-care behaviour throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

Conclusion: A single antenatal relaxation class has the potential to enhance perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences. This study provides valuable insights for maternity services seeking to develop effective health-promoting antenatal education.

Aims/background: Autistic women and birthing people encounter challenges beyond those typically experienced in the perinatal period. In non-perinatal healthcare settings, autistic people do not feel well-understood and supported by healthcare professionals. Little is known about how autistic people experience maternity and perinatal healthcare services. This systematic review synthesises studies exploring autistic women and birthing people's interpersonal experiences when engaging with perinatal healthcare services, using the Autistic SPACE Framework to guide interpretation.

Design/methods: Searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science were supplemented with hand searching. Studies were included if they included qualitative data from peer-reviewed publications relating to autistic women and birthing people's experiences of perinatal healthcare. Studies were assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative checklist. Data were extracted and synthesised using thematic synthesis; confidence in findings was assessed using the GRADE CER-Qual framework.

Results: Ten high-quality studies, with 301 participants, were included. Eight over-arching themes were identified with high confidence, mapping onto the SPACE framework: (1) Feeling over-stimulated; (2) The need to build rapport with healthcare professionals; (3) The need for clear factual information; (4) Feeling judged; (5) Poor understanding of autism; (6) Not asking for help does not mean not needing help, (7) The need for autism-tailored communication and (8) Feeling uncared for.

Conclusion: Autistic women and birthing people's needs are not well-understood and supported in perinatal and maternity services, which negatively effects access to, and experience of, care. More autism-nuanced training, including education on sensory and communication differences, is needed.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) can result in poor health outcomes in mothers, affect maternal-child bonding and have long-term effects on child development.

Aims: The aim of this review was to identify existing studies on PPD and characterise any gaps in literature.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review of 14 databases using a combination of search terms and phrases related to PPD and the respective Southern Asian countries. We applied the criteria from the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews to identify relevant articles from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka published between January 2004 and September 2024.

Results: We identified 20 studies conducted in only four of the South Asian countries: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Fifteen were studies with clear post-intervention outcomes; five had process outcomes. Intervention studies used trained community health workers in a variety of psychosocial programs, many with culturally specific content, including adoption of language and integration of local activities. Among the 15 intervention studies, six had positive maternal mental health outcomes and three had positive pediatric-related findings.

Conclusion: The 20 articles identified address the important problem of PPD in South Asia. The positive findings in both the large randomised control trials and small pilot studies identified in this article, combined with the studies' use of the resource of community health workers, suggest that the gap in the literature is less on identifying effective interventions and more on securing the political and policy resolution to address the problem of PPD.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine potential mediators of the relationship between traumatic experiences, perceived stress, and the subjective, retrospectively measured, intensity of symptoms of premenstrual disorders. It was hypothesised that pessimistic attributional style and trait anger mediate the said relationship.

Methods: The study sample comprised 150 non-clinical subjects (aged 18-31; M = 21.82; SD = 2.19). Study variables were assessed with self-report questionnaires: the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST); the Traumatic Experiences Checklist (TEC); the Perceived Stress Scale-4 Short Form (PSS-4); the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ); and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2 - trait anger subscale). Correlation and mediation analyses were performed.

Results: The symptoms of premenstrual disorders were significantly and positively associated with both trait anger and pessimistic attributional style, as well as with trauma and stress. The correlations were moderate to strong, ranging from rho = 0.57 (pessimistic attributional style and trauma) to rho = 0.85 (stress and premenstrual symptoms). Both anger and pessimistic attributional style partially mediated the relationship between trauma and premenstrual symptoms and between stress and premenstrual symptoms.

Conclusion: Although the design of the study does not allow to infer causality, it demonstrates strong, positive relationship between the symptoms of premenstrual disorders, trauma, stress, attributional style, and anger. The results of mediation analyses may point to some practical implications (e.g. for psychotherapeutic interventions) but further studies employing prospective methods are needed.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the lived experiences of adolescent pregnant young women, with a specific focus on the psychosocial aspect of adolescent pregnancy, using a phenomenological approach.

Design: Employing the phenomenological research method, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between 3 August and 18 August 2023 with 15 young women (mean age = 21.86 years; SD = 1.06) living in a province in eastern Turkey who had undergone adolescent pregnancy 3-5 years before.

Methods: The criterion sampling method, a form of purposive sampling, was used to form the sample group. Interviews were carried out until data saturation was reached. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting.

Results: Through data analysis, three main categories (reflections on adolescent pregnancy, challenges due to adolescent pregnancy, and effects of adolescent pregnancy) and nine sub-themes (emotions, roles and responsibilities, perception of social support, cognitive, emotional, behavioural, mental, physical, and social) emerged.

Conclusion: Our study highlights the adverse psychosocial impact of adolescent pregnancy on young women. Young women who got married at an early age before attaining full physical, social, and psychological maturity grappled with the substantial burdens of adolescent pregnancy and adjusting to their new roles. The study's implications are significant, emphasising the necessity of addressing the psychosocial facets of adolescent marriage and pregnancy, and gaining valuable insights for the future.

Background: Mental health disorders are important prenatal and postpartum health complications. In the rapidly changing healthcare landscape, concerns have been raised about maternal mental well-being in the United States. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between delayed perinatal care and women's mental health during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey from March through April, 2022, of women currently pregnant (n = 590) or one-year postpartum (n = 525). A generalised linear model examined the association of delayed care during pregnancy and postpartum with mental health outcomes, specifically Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Results: Individuals who experienced delayed care tended to exhibit higher rates of mental health symptoms compared to those without delays, especially during postpartum (69.4% vs. 30.7% for MDD; 46.6% vs. 24.8% for GAD). The results from multivariable regression analysis were consistent, showing a greater prevalence of MDD (aPR [adjusted Prevalence Ratio] 2.25, 95%CI 1.82-2.79; p < .001) and GAD (aPR 2.00, 95%CI 1.53-2.61; p < .001), respectively, when delays in postpartum care occurred. Reasons for delayed care, such as financial and time issues, lack of transportation, nervousness about seeing a doctor, and rural residency, were associated with increased mental health symptoms.

Conclusion: The current analysis highlights the significant adverse health impact of delayed care among pregnant and postpartum women. Continued, targeted efforts to reduce practical barriers to accessing prenatal and postpartum care are required to ensure maternal mental health.

Background: Parental stress is a critical problem because it affects both the mental health of the mother and children's development. In addition to many factors related to birth and marriage, mother - infant bonding and psychological inflexibility are essential factors that can affect stress. In this study, we examined the effects of the psychological processes of mothers and factors related to pregnancy, mother, environment on parental stress, and their relationships.

Methods: A sociodemographic variables scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, and Parental Stress Scale were completed by 115 mothers in their first postpartum year. The model created with the correlation and regression results was subjected to path analysis.

Results: Breastfeeding, psychological inflexibility, and mother - infant bonding are related to parental stress. The bonding problem is the mediator of the relationship between psychological inflexibility and parental stress. The entire effect of sleep quality on parental stress occurred through psychological inflexibility.

Conclusion: Efforts should be directed towards improving the bond between the mother and infant and enhancing the mother's psychological flexibility to lessen the negative impacts of stress. Breastfeeding should not be treated categorically, and its potential adverse effects should not be ignored.