Psychological growth after childbirth: an exploratory prospective study
Introduction: It is important to elucidate the psychologically positive aspects of childbirth for mothers, and not only the negative aspects such as perinatal depression. This study aimed to examine psychological growth after childbirth and its related variables by focussing on five factors of postt...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2017-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2016.1233170 |
| _version_ | 1797685853422616576 |
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| author | Daisuke Nishi Kentaro Usuda |
| author_facet | Daisuke Nishi Kentaro Usuda |
| author_sort | Daisuke Nishi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: It is important to elucidate the psychologically positive aspects of childbirth for mothers, and not only the negative aspects such as perinatal depression. This study aimed to examine psychological growth after childbirth and its related variables by focussing on five factors of posttraumatic growth: relating to others, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual change and appreciation of life. Methods: Pregnant women during mid-pregnancy were consecutively recruited at a women’s hospital in Japan and followed up 1 month after childbirth. Psychological growth was assessed by the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Results: Among 177 participants, 117 (66.1%) completed follow-up assessments 1 month after childbirth. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that primipara, higher resilience and less fear at childbirth were associated with posttraumatic growth factors of relating to others and new possibilities. High resilience and less fear at childbirth were also associated with personal strength. On the other hand, being primiparous and high depressive symptoms were associated with greater appreciation of life. No variables were associated with spiritual change. Discussion: These findings suggest that giving birth for the first time could be a highly challenging life event as well as an opportunity which leads to PTG, and that giving birth with low fear might lead to mothers’ psychological growth. On the other hand, appreciation of life might need attention as it might signify some sorts of coping response. These findings contribute to our understanding of the psychological changes experienced by mothers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:57:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-81cbd5ce1aaa46e5b3bd66aa78c2b167 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0167-482X 1743-8942 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:57:18Z |
| publishDate | 2017-04-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| spelling | doaj.art-81cbd5ce1aaa46e5b3bd66aa78c2b1672023-09-14T12:43:59ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology0167-482X1743-89422017-04-01382879310.1080/0167482X.2016.12331701233170Psychological growth after childbirth: an exploratory prospective studyDaisuke Nishi0Kentaro Usuda1Toda Chuo Women’s Hospital, Toda, JapanToda Chuo Women’s Hospital, Toda, JapanIntroduction: It is important to elucidate the psychologically positive aspects of childbirth for mothers, and not only the negative aspects such as perinatal depression. This study aimed to examine psychological growth after childbirth and its related variables by focussing on five factors of posttraumatic growth: relating to others, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual change and appreciation of life. Methods: Pregnant women during mid-pregnancy were consecutively recruited at a women’s hospital in Japan and followed up 1 month after childbirth. Psychological growth was assessed by the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Results: Among 177 participants, 117 (66.1%) completed follow-up assessments 1 month after childbirth. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that primipara, higher resilience and less fear at childbirth were associated with posttraumatic growth factors of relating to others and new possibilities. High resilience and less fear at childbirth were also associated with personal strength. On the other hand, being primiparous and high depressive symptoms were associated with greater appreciation of life. No variables were associated with spiritual change. Discussion: These findings suggest that giving birth for the first time could be a highly challenging life event as well as an opportunity which leads to PTG, and that giving birth with low fear might lead to mothers’ psychological growth. On the other hand, appreciation of life might need attention as it might signify some sorts of coping response. These findings contribute to our understanding of the psychological changes experienced by mothers.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2016.1233170childbirthposttraumatic growthresilience |
| spellingShingle | Daisuke Nishi Kentaro Usuda Psychological growth after childbirth: an exploratory prospective study Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology childbirth posttraumatic growth resilience |
| title | Psychological growth after childbirth: an exploratory prospective study |
| title_full | Psychological growth after childbirth: an exploratory prospective study |
| title_fullStr | Psychological growth after childbirth: an exploratory prospective study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychological growth after childbirth: an exploratory prospective study |
| title_short | Psychological growth after childbirth: an exploratory prospective study |
| title_sort | psychological growth after childbirth an exploratory prospective study |
| topic | childbirth posttraumatic growth resilience |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2016.1233170 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT daisukenishi psychologicalgrowthafterchildbirthanexploratoryprospectivestudy AT kentarousuda psychologicalgrowthafterchildbirthanexploratoryprospectivestudy |