Associations between Prenatal Factors and Self-Reported Emotional Availability at 3- and 6-Months Postpartum

Abstract

Positive perceptions of pregnancy are associated with better postpartum outcomes, including stronger relationship with baby. Although better self-reported emotional availability (EA-SR) is associated with greater attachment security with infants, research has not yet explored the relationship between prenatal maternal factors and EA-SR. The aim of the study was to explore the associations between prenatal variables (adult attachment, shame, compassion) and EA-SR at 3- and 6-months postpartum. A cross-sectional survey design based on a convenience sample of pregnant Australian women completed the survey at three time points: pregnancy (3rd trimester, n = 133), and again at 3- (n = 65) and 6-months (n = 40) postpartum. Five, 5-step, hierarchical multiple regressions revealed the model (mean maternal age/prenatal attachment/shame/compassion/psychological adjustment) significantly explained 62% in self-reported maternal hostility, 53% in self-reported child involvement, and 52% in self-reported mutual attunement, at 6-months postpartum. Higher levels of prenatal internal shame were related to less self-reported child involvement (p = 0.04), and more self-reported maternal hostility (p = 0.03), at 3-months postpartum. More prenatal giving compassion was associated with better self-reported affect quality at 3- (p = 0.01) and 6-months postpartum (p = 0.01), and less self-reported hostility (p = 0.02) at 6-months postpartum. Greater understanding of the relationship between prenatal factors and EA-SR may help enhance prenatal care pathways to support women and families at risk of adverse postpartum outcomes.

Observed Emotional Availability<bold> (EA) in the Early Months and Adolescence and Self-Reported EA at Any Age: A Narrative Review</bold>

“…EA Self-Report EA-SR: Assessment of Self-Reported or Perceived EA. Conducting an online, cross-sectional study, Caldwell et al (2022) found that self-compassion, psychological flexibility, experiences in close relationships, and shame (all self-reported) during the third trimester of pregnancy predicted significant percentage of the variance in the EA-SR at 6 months. Postnatally assessed psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and better breastfeeding experience (with infants less than 2 years of age, 11 months on average) correlated with the EA-SR (affect quality), according to Whittingham and Mitchell (2021).…”