Prenatal Changes in Parenting Self-Efficacy: Linkages With Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Primiparous Women

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine parenting self-efficacy in relation to depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy. Five hundred thirty-three first-time pregnant women completed questionnaires at 12, 22, and 32 weeks of pregnancy that measure parenting self-efficacy, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Parenting self-efficacy increased slightly but significantly over the course of pregnancy. Higher levels of depressive symptoms as well as state and trait anxiety symptoms were related to lower expectations of parenting self-efficacy at all time points, but only anxiety symptoms uniquely predicted parenting self-efficacy. Higher levels of anxiety symptoms in the first trimester predicted less positive change in parenting self-efficacy over the course of pregnancy, but depressive symptoms did not when anxiety levels were taken into account. The findings highlight the role of antenatal anxiety symptoms as a predictor of suboptimal preparation for the parenting role in first-time-expecting mothers. Possible explanations and implications for clinical practice are briefly discussed.

Comparison of group cognitive behavioral therapy and interactive lectures in reducing anxiety during pregnancy

“…[ 15 16 ] Studies have shown anxiety is more frequent in nulliparous women who are pregnant for the first time. [ 7 17 ] …”

Measuring Multidimensional Parental Self‐Efficacy of Mothers and Fathers of Children Ages 1.5 and 3 Years

“…Studies have shown that low PSE seems to be correlated with parental depression, anxiety, defensive and controlling parental strategies, high levels of parental stress, passive coping and feelings of helplessness in the parenting role, and the use of punitive disciplinary techniques (Jones & Prinz, ; Salonen et al, ; Wernand, Kunseler, Oosterman, Beekman, & Schuengel, ). Most of these results were derived from cross‐sectional studies.…”

“…Most of these results were derived from cross‐sectional studies. Among studies that have adapted longitudinal data, Wernand et al () found that during the course of pregnancy, depression, anxiety, and PSE were strongly linked, but only anxiety symptoms predicted later PSE. Jones and Prinz () stated that it was unclear whether PSE functioned consistently as an antecedent or contributor to parental depression, as a consequence of parental depression, or in a transactional relationship with parental depression.…”

“…de Montigny & Lacharitè, 2005). These components are assumed to model the feelings of one's PSE during the first years of parenthood or, as Biehle andMickelson (2011) andWernand et al (2014) have argued, during pregnancy. The dynamic nature of PSE, combined with the results of the current literature on PSE, offers possibilities for interventions aimed at enhancing parents' feelings of PSE and ensuring the optimal development of their children.…”

On Being Mother and Patient: Dialectical Struggles During Medically High‐risk Pregnancy

“…Nevertheless, few studies have been conducted about women's experiences and perceptions of MHRP, especially in the United States (Rubarth, Schoening, Cosimano, & Sandhurst, ), despite the fact that 3 to 10% of U.S. pregnancies (dependent upon diagnosis) are deemed medically high‐risk (National Institute of Child Health Development, ). In addition, there is ample evidence that maternal prenatal experiences influence the nature of a mother's attachment to her infant once she or he is born and subsequent infant mental health (Huth‐Bocks, Theran, Levendosky, & Bogat, ; Wernand, Kunseler, Oosterman, Beekman, & Schuengel, ). Our research aim was to systematically explore such women's experiences during MHRP.…”