Maternal adjustment to the birth of a child: Primiparity versus multiparity

Abstract

Introduction:The literature has highlighted the birth of a first child as a crisis moment that implies change and reorganisation. None the less, the specificities of maternal adjustment to the birth of another child are not yet completely known. Goals: To understand differences in adjusting to the birth of a child, in primiparous and multiparous mothers. Specifically: (1) identify and describe differences in adjusting at two different moments: 2-5 days after the birth and 8 months post-partum; (2) identify and describe differences or continuities among primiparous and multiparous mothers regarding the temporal evolution of adjustment. Method: 179 mothers (98 primiparous; 81 multiparous) were assessed in two different periods: 2-5 days after the birth and 8 months later, concerning adjustment and need for reorganisation. The assessment protocol included a social-demographic data file, the Emotional Assessment Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, and adjectival scales. Results: Primiparous mothers report greater adjustment difficulties right after the birth. Multiparous mothers show a less positive adjustment trajectory, mainly reflected in increasing levels of negative emotional reactivity. Conclusion: Results support the existence of different adjustment trajectories for primiparous and multiparous mothers, suggesting the need for differentiated psychological intervention strategies regarding each group.

Utilization of child health services, stress, social support and child characteristics in primiparous and multiparous mothers of 18-month-old children

“…and parity-related differences in the development of adjustment problems over time [30]. Our results mainly caught the first postpartum period, but the CHC professionals should be aware of the risk for depression in multiparous mothers and later than closely after childbirth.…”

A Longitudinal Study on Motherhood and Well-Being: Developmental and Clinical Implications

“…Participants are second-time mothers for which the addition of a family member often represents an increase in time and energy demands -as well as a consequent strain -and requires adjustment and reorganization in the entire family system (Gameiro, Moura-Ramos & Navarroi, 2009;Krieg, 2007;Le Masters, 1957).…”

The behavior over time of postnatal depression symptomatology and its early detection via the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: An Italian longitudinal study

“…In particular, literature data report a difficult transition for first time parents: becoming a mother is significant developmental transition that can cause anxiety with the change of role from being a nonparental and responsible only for one's self to being responsible for the care of the new baby (Leahy-Warren et al, 2011). Specifically primiparous mothers presenting higher anxiety and depression than second time mothers during pregnancy and the post-partum (Hung, 2004;Dørheim et al, 2009;Giakoumaki et al, 2009;Gameiro et al, 2009). However, researches present controversial results regarding depression symptoms in first and second time parents, in fact some studies report lower depression levels in primaparous women compared to second time mothers in the post-partum period (Skari et al;.…”