Dysfunctional beliefs towards motherhood and postpartum depressive and anxiety symptoms: Uncovering the role of experiential avoidance

Fonseca, Ana; Monteiro, Fabiana; Canavarro, Maria Cristina

doi:10.1002/jclp.22649

Cited by 26 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…First, baseline scores on self-regulatory skills and depressive symptoms were significantly associated, with women who presented poorer self-regulatory skills (more emotion regulation difficulties, high psychological inflexibility and low self-compassion) showing higher levels of depressive symptoms. These results were congruent with prior research that has suggested that poorer emotion regulation (Haga et al, 2012; Marques et al, 2018), higher psychological inflexibility (Zhu et al, 2015; Fonseca et al, 2018b) and poorer levels of self-compassion (Felder et al, 2016) may increase the likelihood of postpartum depressive symptoms. Without clinical intervention, these poorer self-regulatory skills may also contribute to the persistent nature of depressive symptoms over time, leading to the establishment of a clinical diagnosis of PPD.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Despite the extensive body of research on contextual (e.g., socioeconomic status, marital status, lack of social support) and clinical (e.g., prior history of depression) risk factors for PPD (Robertson et al, 2004; O’Hara and McCabe, 2013), there are some recent studies (e.g., Haga et al, 2012; Felder et al, 2016; Fonseca et al, 2018b) linking the absence of self-regulatory skills, such as emotion regulation abilities, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion, to the development and maintenance of PPD. Emotion regulation abilities may be defined as the individual’s ability to be aware of and to understand their emotional states and to use flexible and situationally appropriate strategies to address emotions and engage in goal-directed behaviors (Gratz and Roemer, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Psychological flexibility may be understood as the individual’s ability to accept aversive emotional experiences in the moment while maintaining engagement in value-based behaviors and choices (Hayes et al, 2006). Specifically, lower psychological flexibility has been found to be associated with higher depressive symptoms in the postpartum period (Zhu et al, 2015; Fonseca et al, 2018b). Evans et al (2012) found that higher psychological flexibility is associated with higher maternal attachment, higher maternal responsiveness and lower postpartum depressive symptoms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: The Enhancement of Self-Regulatory Skills and Its Association With Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

et al. 2019

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Aim: Be a Mom is a self-guided, web-based intervention to prevent persistent postpartum depression symptoms [PPD], targeting both at-risk postpartum women and/or women presenting early-onset postpartum depressive symptoms (selective/indicated preventive intervention). Be a Mom is grounded on the principles of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy and incorporates the recent contributions of acceptance and compassion-based approaches (third-wave approaches) applied to the perinatal context. This study aimed to explore the processes underlying therapeutic change in the Be a Mom intervention, by: (1) exploring whether participation in the Be a Mom promotes the enhancement of self-regulatory skills (emotion regulation abilities, psychological flexibility and self-compassion) in comparison with women who did not participate in the program; and (2) exploring whether changes in self-regulatory skills are associated with changes in depressive symptoms, among women who participated in the Be a Mom program. Methods: A pilot randomized, two-arm controlled trial was conducted. Eligible women (presenting PPD risk-factors and/or early-onset PPD symptoms) were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to the intervention group (Be a Mom, n = 98) or to the waiting-list control group ( n = 96). Participants in both groups completed baseline (T1) and post-intervention assessments (T2), including measures of depressive symptoms, emotion regulation abilities, psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Results: From baseline to post-intervention assessment, women in the intervention group showed a significantly greater decrease in the levels of emotion regulation difficulties ( p < 0.001) and a significant greater increase in the levels of self-compassion ( p < 0.001) compared to the control group. No significant differences were found concerning psychological flexibility. Moreover, a greater decrease in difficulties in emotion regulation and greater increase in self-compassion levels were significantly associated with a greater decrease in depressive symptoms, among women in the intervention group. Discussion: Be a Mom promotes the enhancement of women’s emotion regulation abilities and self-compassion, and this seems to exert a protective effect in the presence of PPD risk factors (or early-onset symptoms) because it led to a reduction of depressive symptoms. By providing some insights into the processes that underlie treatment response to Be a Mom, this study highlights the important role of the targeted third-wave processes applied to the perinatal context.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: The Enhancement of Self-Regulatory Skills and Its Association With Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

et al. 2019

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“…These ndings are consistent with the results of previous qualitative research which have attributed unrealistic expectations of motherhood, and guilt and self-blame, to psychological di culties in the postnatal period [13,18,53]. This also ts with quantitative evidence of maladaptive beliefs towards motherhood increasing the risk of perinatal anxiety and depressive symptoms [54][55][56], and the reported relationship between dysfunctional perfectionism and postnatal distress [57]. As such, interventions to manage misconceptions around mothering ideals and better prepare women for the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood, such as infant crying and sleep deprivation, may be helpful in reducing perinatal distress.…”

Section: Sources Of Perinatal Distresssupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Sources Of Perinatal Distresssupporting

confidence: 91%

A Qualitative Analysis of Feelings and Experiences Associated With Perinatal Distress During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Jones

Harrison

Moulds

2021

Preprint

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Background: Rates of perinatal psychological difficulties (experienced during pregnancy and the twelve-months postpartum) increased dramatically worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the UK, anxiety and depression were estimated to affect more than half of perinatal women during the first national lockdown. However, little is known about women’s qualitative experiences of distress and the sources of their symptoms. This study aimed to extend quantitative research to qualitatively explore: 1) the psychological symptoms associated with maternal perinatal distress during the COVID-19 pandemic; and 2) the associated psychosocial stressors, in order to guide future preventative and supportive interventions.Methods: As part of an online survey during May 2020, 424 perinatal women completed an open-ended question regarding a recent experience of distress. Qualitative data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis from a realist stance and explored in the context of perinatal anxiety and depression scores.Results: Thematic analysis of the data identified thirteen distinct symptom-related themes of psychological distress. Despite the high rates of probable depression in the sample, women’s descriptions of symptoms were more indicative of anxiety and general distress, rather than those traditionally related to depression. Furthermore, qualitative experiences of distress differed between pre- and postnatal women. In terms of the associated psychosocial stressors, six themes emerged. Three were related to COVID-19, and three described general motherhood experiences unrelated to the pandemic context. Psychological conflict between maternal expectations and the reality of pregnancy and motherhood, and fears surrounding family health, safety, and wellbeing underlay many of the themes. Conclusions: Interventions to support perinatal wellbeing may benefit from a transdiagnostic approach focusing on a multitude of symptoms, particularly those associated with anxiety and general distress. Support should also aim to develop healthy expectations of perinatal experiences, as well as provide psychoeducation to alleviate fears in pregnancy and early motherhood to help reduce maternal distress. This paper also highlights some of the traumatic COVID-related stressors which should be addressed to reduce enduring and recurrent episodes of trauma whilst presenting various opportunities to better support perinatal women should future pandemic restrictions be required.

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Experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta‐cognition, and body‐checking among women during pregnancy and postpartum: Buffering effect of self‐compassion

Ilyas,

Tariq,

Asim

et al. 2024

Intl J Gynecology & Obste

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ObjectiveThe present study attempted to explore the psychological experiences of experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta‐cognition, self‐compassion and body‐checking during two stages of maternity (pregnancy and postpartum) among women embracing maternity for the first time.MethodsThe study used a cross sectional correlational design and enrolled 306 women participants who were in their third trimester of pregnancy or of postpartum (pregnant = 154 [50.3%]; postpartum = 152 [49.7%]) with ages ranging between 20 and 35 years (M = 26.62; SD = 2.19). The data was collected using the Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ); Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ); Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ); Self‐Compassion Scale (SCS), and Body‐checking Questionnaire (BCQ). Data was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 21.ResultsA significant positive association was observed between experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta‐cognition, and body‐checking while self‐compassion showed reverse association with these variables. The body‐checking outcome was significantly negatively predicted by self‐compassionate attitude and positively by thought suppression in both groups (i.e., pregnant and postpartum). The experiential avoidance positively predicted body‐checking among women in post‐partum group only. Moreover, a mediating association of experiential avoidance and a moderating effect of self‐compassion (self‐kindness and common humanity) and meta‐cognition (positive beliefs about worry and need to control thought) were also observed to moderate between thought suppression and body‐checking outcomes.ConclusionThe study concluded that experiential avoidance and thought suppression contribute in developing body‐checking behaviors among women who are pregnant or at postpartum stage of maternity. In addition, self‐compassion and meta‐cognition moderate this association with self‐compassion playing potential buffer.

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Dysfunctional beliefs towards motherhood and postpartum depressive and anxiety symptoms: Uncovering the role of experiential avoidance

Cited by 26 publications

References 34 publications

Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: The Enhancement of Self-Regulatory Skills and Its Association With Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: The Enhancement of Self-Regulatory Skills and Its Association With Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

A Qualitative Analysis of Feelings and Experiences Associated With Perinatal Distress During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta‐cognition, and body‐checking among women during pregnancy and postpartum: Buffering effect of self‐compassion

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