Heightened Maternal Separation Anxiety in the Postpartum

Abstract

Maternal separation anxiety (MSA) refers to feelings of anxiety elicited in a mother during separation from her infant. The role of social and structural disadvantage in the etiology of high MSA has been overlooked. Secondary analysis of data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N = 3,897) revealed that compared to socioeconomically advantaged women, women of low socioeconomic position had a fourfold increased odds of reporting high (>80th percentile) MSA (odds ratio = 4.37, 95% confidence interval = 3.24-5.89), even when maternal and infant characteristics were controlled for. Inadequate social support and residing in a poor quality neighborhood were also significantly associated with high MSA in adjusted analyses. These findings indicate that high MSA is more common in socioeconomically disadvantaged women and might be a response to adverse circumstances. Mothers' experience of, and reasons for, MSA needs to be considered

Parents' experiences of emotional closeness to their infants in the neonatal unit: A meta-ethnography

“…Parents have described the negative emotions they experience with departures from the NU, and NU nurses have observed these as well [79,80]. Moderate distress upon separation is considered normal and desirable, and an indicator of secure attachment, and studies have found that mothers of infants who have health problems may be more likely to report significant separation anxiety [81,82].…”

Exploring Healthy Eating and Exercise Behaviors Among Low-Income Breastfeeding Mothers

“…With child care available, participants reported feeling distrustful or anxious about leaving their children with others. Indeed, low-income women are more likely to report high maternal separation anxiety than are higher-income women (Cooklin et al, 2014).…”

Postpartum maternal separation anxiety, overprotective parenting, and children’s social-emotional well-being: Longitudinal evidence from an Australian cohort.

“…Maternal history of mood disorder predisposes women to heightened risk of worse mood in the postpartum including difficulties with adjustment (beyondblue, 2011; Leigh & Milgrom, 2008), which may include more difficulties in negotiating separation from their infant. Single mothers, those who are experiencing financial hardship, or are living in conditions associated with socioeconomic disadvantage may be more concerned, anxious, and protective of their children than mothers with better access to support, resources, or higher quality care for their children (Cooklin et al, 2013). Finally, maternal employment participation in the postpartum requires regular motherϪinfant separations and is associated with lower separation anxiety in the postpartum (Cooklin et al, 2013(Cooklin et al, , 2012DeMeis, Hock, & McBride, 1986;Hock & DeMeis, 1990;Hsu, 2004).…”

“…Single mothers, those who are experiencing financial hardship, or are living in conditions associated with socioeconomic disadvantage may be more concerned, anxious, and protective of their children than mothers with better access to support, resources, or higher quality care for their children (Cooklin et al, 2013). Finally, maternal employment participation in the postpartum requires regular motherϪinfant separations and is associated with lower separation anxiety in the postpartum (Cooklin et al, 2013(Cooklin et al, , 2012DeMeis, Hock, & McBride, 1986;Hock & DeMeis, 1990;Hsu, 2004). A third aim of the study was to ascertain whether the strength and pattern of the relationships between postnatal maternal separation anxiety and psychological distress, and overprotective parenting and socioemotional outcomes for children in toddlerhood is moderated by these child (gender, first-born) and maternal/family characteristics (history of depression, family structure, socioeconomic position, and employment status).…”