Dyadic analyses on the prospective association between birth experience and parent-child-bonding: The role of postpartum depression, anxiety, and childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder

Relationship between dyadic coping, resilience and fear of childbirth in expectant couples: An actor-partner interdependence model approach

BACKGROUND

Fear of childbirth is a common concern in pregnant women and their spouses due to the unpredictability of the process and outcome of a delivery, which results in adverse effects on mental health, birth outcomes and family intimacy. However, there is a lack of studies that explore the influencing factors of fear of childbirth among expectant couples from a dyadic perspective. The aim of this study is to explore the correlation of dyadic coping, resilience and fear of childbirth in pregnant couples and to construct an actor-partner interdependence model to verify dyadic effects.

METHODS

This cross-sectional survey included 420 couples and was conducted between November 2022 and March 2023 in the obstetric department at two hospitals in China. Convenience sampling and an actor-partner interdependence model was used.

FINDINGS

The prevalence of fear of childbirth among pregnant women and their spouses is 37.4 % and 33.1 %, respectively. Women's resilience and dyadic coping had a partner effect on spouses' fear of childbirth, in addition to an actor effect on their own fear of childbirth. Spouses' resilience and dyadic coping had only actor effects on themselves, and no partner effect was found on the pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

Women's fear of childbirth was positively associated with spouses' fear of childbirth. Interventions for fear of childbirth should include improving resilience and enhancing dyadic stress support and coping. This study provides empirical evidence for future clinical research and interventions on the psychological status of pregnant women and their partners during pregnancy.

'Would I risk it again?' The long-term impacts of a traumatic birth, as experienced by fathers

BACKGROUND

Extensive research has explored the impact of traumatic births on mothers, capturing enduring adverse outcomes as well as post-traumatic growth. The literature on fathers' experiences of birth trauma is more limited and little is known of the ongoing impact. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of attending a traumatic birth.

METHOD

Semi-structured interviews were completed with fathers who identified as having a traumatic birth experience two or more years ago. Thematic analysis was conducted on eight interview transcripts.

RESULTS

Despite the time since the birth trauma, fathers described ongoing impact, which is captured in five themes. Four of these focus on the negative impacts: their attempts to cope by boxing away emotions, which they thought they should not feel; anxieties over having further children; negative effects on parenting; and ongoing distress or negative impact on their wellbeing. The final theme highlighted some positives from the experience, primarily a strengthened relationship with their partner.

CONCLUSIONS

Traumatic birth can result in fathers experiencing difficulties beyond the perinatal period, whilst thinking that they should not feel or discuss their distress. As a result of a traumatic birth fathers can experience ongoing guilt and poor mental health, which may lead them to delay subsequent pregnancies. Most participants had not accessed support regarding the traumatic birth, instead coping by trying to avoid their memories and emotional reaction. These findings highlight the need for increased acknowledgement of the impact of birth trauma and intervention for fathers, during and after the perinatal period.

Going through it together: Dyadic associations between parents' birth experience, relationship satisfaction, and mental health

BACKGROUND

Previous research suggests that a negative birth experience is associated with symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety in mothers and partners. However, this has mostly been investigated within the first year postpartum and research on the long-term effects is lacking. Additionally, the role of relationship satisfaction and the interdependence between parents have not been considered so far.

METHODS

Couples (N = 1992) completed questionnaires on their birth experience, relationship satisfaction, and symptoms of depression and anxiety at two months, 14 months, and two years after birth, respectively.

RESULTS

Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Models indicated no partner effects, but several significant actor and indirect effects. A more positive birth experience was associated with higher relationship satisfaction and less depression and anxiety symptoms for both parents. Higher relationship satisfaction was in turn associated with less depression (mothers and partners) and anxiety symptoms (mothers). The association between birth experience and depression symptoms was partially mediated by relationship satisfaction for mothers and partners, while the association between birth experience and anxiety symptoms was partially mediated by relationship satisfaction only for mothers.

LIMITATIONS

Due to the highly educated, very healthy sample with low levels of depression and anxiety as well as high relationship satisfaction, results cannot be generalized to less privileged parents. Moreover, all effects were very small.

CONCLUSIONS

Results highlight the importance of a positive birth experience for parents' relationship satisfaction and mental health. Negative birth experiences need to be avoided to prevent a negative impact on the whole family.

The Effect of Familism Emotions on Post-Traumatic Growth Among the Elderly in China: The Mediating Roles of Taoist Personality and Sense of Community

Purpose

Post-traumatic growth is a significant social issue in the management of active aging in elderly people. This study investigates the influence of familism emotions on post-traumatic growth (PTG) of the elderly, and the mediating role of Taoist personality and sense of community (SOC) therein, to provide a scientific basis for the development of positive aging in the elderly.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in several communities of Hubei Province in China. A total of 338 elderly people were investigated with the Familism Emotion Scale, PTG Scale, Taoist Personality Scale and SOC Scale. SPSS 23.0 was used to derive descriptive statistics and conduct a common method bias test, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple stepwise regression analysis. Mplus 7.3 was used for structural equation modeling to test the significance of parallel mediation effects on the data.

Results

The results show that: (1) Familism emotions, Taoist personality and SOC are positively correlated with PTG; (2) Familism emotions, Taoist personality and SOC can all positively predict PTG in the elderly; (3) Both Taoist personality and SOC partially mediated the link between familism emotions and PTG in the elderly.

Conclusion

In the context of particularly constraining societal events such as COVID-19, it is necessary to pay careful attention to the impact of external environmental influences upon the elderly, such as family and community, and to encourage elderly people to cultivate a more Taoist personality. The formation of a Taoist personality offers a promising new focus for research in elderly healthcare.