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    Stress, Depressive Symptoms, and Maternal Self-Efficacy in First-Time Mothers: Modelling and Predicting Change across the First Six Months of Motherhood

    72312.pdf (717.1Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Law, K.
    Dimmock, J.
    Guelfi, K.
    Nguyen, T.
    Gucciardi, Daniel
    Jackson, B.
    Date
    2018
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Law, K. and Dimmock, J. and Guelfi, K. and Nguyen, T. and Gucciardi, D. and Jackson, B. 2018. Stress, Depressive Symptoms, and Maternal Self-Efficacy in First-Time Mothers: Modelling and Predicting Change across the First Six Months of Motherhood. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. 11 (1): pp. 126-147.
    Source Title
    Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being
    DOI
    10.1111/aphw.12147
    ISSN
    1758-0846
    School
    School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science
    Remarks

    This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Law, K. and Dimmock, J. and Guelfi, K. and Nguyen, T. and Gucciardi, D. and Jackson, B. 2018. Stress, Depressive Symptoms, and Maternal Self-Efficacy in First-Time Mothers: Modelling and Predicting Change across the First Six Months of Motherhood. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. 11 (1): pp. 126-147, which has been published in final form at 10.1111/aphw.12147.This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving at http://olabout.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-828039.html

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72069
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Background: First-time mothers commonly experience stress and depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. Maternal self-efficacy has been shown to be an important protective factor against these experiences; however, research on the dynamic nature of stress, depressive symptoms, and maternal self-efficacy is limited. The aim of this study was to document changes in these psychological factors among first-time mothers, and determine how early maternal self-efficacy perceptions may predict change in stress and depressive symptoms over the first 6 months postpartum. Methods: Sixty first-time Australian mothers were recruited during their third trimester of pregnancy. Participants completed a baseline survey during the third trimester of pregnancy (M = 32.87 weeks, SD = 2.62 weeks), and subsequently reported stress, depressive symptoms, and maternal self-efficacy every 3 weeks postpartum for 6 months. Latent growth curve modelling was used to estimate participants’ change over time for stress and depressive symptoms. Results: First-time mothers’ stress and depressive symptoms peaked, and maternal self-efficacy was weakest, at 3 weeks postpartum. Maternal self-efficacy at 3 weeks postpartum was a significant (negative) predictor of 3-week levels of, and also (positively) predicted later reductions in, stress. Conclusion: Future interventions aimed at bolstering early maternal self-efficacy may protect against postpartum stress for first-time mothers.

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