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

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2021-01, Vol.18 (2), p.562
• Main Authors: Peñacoba Puente, Cecilia, Suso-Ribera, Carlos, Blanco Rico, Sheila, Marín, Dolores, San Román Montero, Jesús, Catalá, Patricia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Babies; Childbirth & labor; Coping; Depression; Depression, Postpartum - epidemiology; Female; Gestational age; Humans; Infant; Investigations; Lactation; Mental depression; Mother-Child Relations; Mothers; Parturition; Perception; Postpartum; Postpartum depression; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Public health; Security; Variables; Womens health
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020562

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 ( = 0.003), including irritability during lactation ( = 0.041). Interaction effects of avoidant coping and postpartum depression were observed on the perception of the baby as irritable ( = 0.031) and with easy temperament ( = 0.002). Regarding the mother's self-confidence, avoidant coping was related to a lack of security in caring for the baby ( < 0.001) and had a moderating effect between PPD and mother's self-confidence (i.e., lack of security in caring for the baby, =0.027; general security, = 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.