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

Gameiro, Sofia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2496-2004, Moura-Ramos, Mariana and Canavarro, Maria Cristina 2009. Maternal adjustment to the birth of a child: Primiparity versus multiparity. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology 27 (3) , pp. 269-286. 10.1080/02646830802350898

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Uncontrolled Keywords:	motherhood, psychological adjustment, parity
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	0264-6838
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2022 09:21
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/36086

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