Maternal Self-confidence Postpartum and at Pre-school Age: The Role of Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Maternal Attachment Insecurity
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Contributors
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of maternal postpartum depression and/or anxiety disorders according to DMS-IV on maternal self-confidence throughout infancy and early childhood. Exploratively, associations between maternal attachment insecurity and maternal self-confidence at pre-school age were examined. The sample (N = 54) of this prospective longitudinal study was comprised of n = 27 women with postpartum depression and/or anxiety disorders according to DSM-IV criteria and n = 27 healthy women without present or history of mental health disorders or psychotherapy. Data was collected in the postpartum period (M = 60.08 days) and at pre-school age (M = 4.7 years). Subjects were recruited between 2004 and 2011 in South Germany. Data revealed a significant difference in maternal self-confidence between clinical and control group at childs pre-school age: Women with postpartum depression and/or anxiety disorder scored lower on maternal self-confidence than healthy controls, but only if they had current SCID-diagnoses or partly remitted symptoms. According to explorative analyses maternal attachment insecurity turned out to be the strongest predictor of maternal self-confidence at pre-school age besides maternal mental health status. The results emphasize the impact of attachment insecurity and maternal mental health regarding maternal self-confidence leading to potential adverse long-term consequences for the mother-child relationship. Attachment based interventions taking maternal self-confidence into account are needed.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1873-1880 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Maternal and child health journal |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 8 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2014 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
Externally published | Yes |
External IDs
PubMed | 24474591 |
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ORCID | /0000-0002-7278-5711/work/142233566 |
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goals
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- Anxiety disorders, Depression, Maternal attachment insecurity, Maternal self-confidence, Postpartum period