Postpartum-specific anxiety and maternal bonding: Further evidence to support the use of childbearing specific mood tools

Fallon, Victoria ORCID: 0000-0002-7350-2568, Silverio, Sergio Alessandro ORCID: 0000-0001-7177-3471, Halford, Jason Christian Grovenor ORCID: 0000-0003-1629-3189, Bennett, Kate Mary ORCID: 0000-0003-3164-6894 and Harrold, Joanne Allison ORCID: 0000-0002-0899-4586 (2019) Postpartum-specific anxiety and maternal bonding: Further evidence to support the use of childbearing specific mood tools. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 39 (2). pp. 1-11.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2019.1680960

Abstract

Background: Research examining the relationship between postpartum anxiety and maternal bonding is limited by the use of general measures of anxiety which may predict perinatal outcomes less effectively than childbearing specific tools. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the predictive validity of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale [PSAS] and examine whether it is a more effective predictor of maternal bonding than general measures of anxiety. Methods: Two hundred and sixty one mothers (≤6-months postpartum) completed the PSAS alongside general anxiety and depression measures. Maternal bonding was examined via the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire [PBQ] two-weeks later. Results: Hierarchical regression models demonstrated that higher levels of postpartum specific anxiety were associated with impaired overall bonding scores, and subscales of impaired general bond, rejection and anger, and infant focused anxieties. As hypothesised, the PSAS predicted unique variance in maternal bonding in these domains after controlling for general measures of anxiety and depression. Conclusion: These findings provide further evidence to support the predictive utility of the PSAS and the use of childbearing-specific measures of mood when predicting perinatal outcomes.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	attachment, emotional, infancy, postnatal care, quantitative methods
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	05 Nov 2019 09:37
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 00:20
DOI:	10.1080/02646838.2019.1680960
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3060531