Postpartum depression and resilience predict parenting sense of competence in women with childhood maltreatment history

Arch Womens Ment Health. 2018 Dec;21(6):777-784. doi: 10.1007/s00737-018-0865-7. Epub 2018 Jun 2.

Abstract

This study examines the effect of a history of childhood maltreatment (CM) on parenting sense of competence, taking into account the influence of resilience and postpartum depressive symptoms as moderators of this relationship. Participants (N = 131) were a community sample of women recruited into a larger study of maternal childhood maltreatment. Women completed questionnaires over the phone at 4 months postpartum and parenting sense of competence (PSOC) was assessed during a home visit at 6 months postpartum. A three-way interaction emerged; women with low depression and high resilience factors maintained high levels of PSOC, even when they had a CM history. In contrast, among women with one postpartum risk factor (depression or low resilience) CM was associated with decreased PSOC. Results suggest that a mother's well-being postpartum moderates the effect of a childhood maltreatment history on her parenting sense of competence. Reducing postpartum depressive symptoms and enhancing resilience may be important components for interventions that address parenting confidence with maltreated women.

Keywords: Childhood maltreatment; Depression; Parenting competence; Resilience.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Depression, Postpartum* / diagnosis
  • Depression, Postpartum* / epidemiology
  • Depression, Postpartum* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Maternal Behavior / psychology*
  • Mother-Child Relations*
  • Needs Assessment
  • Parenting / psychology
  • Pregnancy
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Resilience, Psychological*
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Concept*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States / epidemiology