Is the Association between Postpartum Depression and Early Maternal–Infant Relationships Contextually Determined by Avoidant Coping in the Mother?

Cecilia Peñacoba Puente, Carlos Suso-Ribera, Sheila Blanco Rico, Dolores Marín, Jesús San Román Montero and Patricia Catalá
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Cecilia Peñacoba Puente: Department of Psychology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. de Atenas s/n, 28922 Madrid, Spain
Carlos Suso-Ribera: Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, 12071 Castellon, Spain
Sheila Blanco Rico: Department of Psychology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. de Atenas s/n, 28922 Madrid, Spain
Dolores Marín: Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, 28944 Madrid, Spain
Jesús San Román Montero: Department of Psychology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. de Atenas s/n, 28922 Madrid, Spain
Patricia Catalá: Department of Psychology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. de Atenas s/n, 28922 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-14

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.

Keywords: mother; avoidant coping; post-partum depression; pregnant women; early mother-infant relationship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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