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01-07-2023 | Original Article

Antenatal predictors of postnatal maternal attachment and competence after assisted conception—a prospective cohort study in South India

Authors: Vaishalee Saravanan, Geetha Desai, Veena A. Satyanarayana

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 4/2023

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of antenatal factors such as anxiety, depression, perceived stress, marital satisfaction, maternal antenatal attachment, and social support on postnatal maternal attachment and competence in women who received assisted reproductive treatment. A prospective longitudinal cohort design was adopted with two groups—50 women who received assisted reproductive treatment and 50 women who had natural conception. Both the groups were assessed using self-report measures over three time points: T1, 7th month of pregnancy; T2, 2 weeks postpartum; and T3, 3 months postpartum. A final sample of 44 women who had assisted conception and 47 women who had natural conception completed assessments across all three time points. Descriptive, bivariate analyses, and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were carried out. In the assisted conception group, maternal antenatal attachment, depression, and marital satisfaction significantly predicted postnatal maternal-infant attachment. Perceived social support, depression, and duration of marriage significantly predicted postnatal maternal competence. In the naturally conceived group, maternal antenatal attachment and social support significantly predicted postnatal maternal-infant attachment; perceived stress significantly predicted postnatal maternal competence. Antenatal depressive symptoms and relational factors significantly influenced postnatal maternal attachment and competence highlighting the need for screening and targeted psychological interventions during pregnancy.

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Title: Antenatal predictors of postnatal maternal attachment and competence after assisted conception—a prospective cohort study in South India
Authors: Vaishalee Saravanan
Geetha Desai
Veena A. Satyanarayana
Publication date: 01-07-2023
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 4/2023
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01340-1

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Antenatal predictors of postnatal maternal attachment and competence after assisted conception—a prospective cohort study in South India

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