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01-07-2008 | Original Contribution

New mothers’ thoughts of harm related to the newborn

Authors: Nichole Fairbrother, Sheila R. Woody

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 3/2008

Abstract

There are few published studies of new mothers’ experiences of intrusive thoughts of harm related to the newborn. Evidence-based information about the normal phenomenology of intrusive thoughts of harm related to the newborn is needed to facilitate appropriate clinical decision-making. The objective of this project was to assess the phenomenology, prevalence, correlates, and behavioural sequelae of maternal thoughts of harm related to the newborn. One hundred women were recruited during pregnancy. Participants were assessed prenatally and at 4 and 12 weeks postpartum using questionnaires and a semi-structured interview about unwanted thoughts of harm related to the newborn. Postpartum intrusive thoughts of accidental harm to the infant were universal, and close to half of the sample reported unwanted thoughts of intentionally harming their infant. Compared with intentional harm thoughts, accidental harm thoughts were more frequent and more time consuming, but less distressing. High parenting stress and low social support predicted the occurrence of thoughts of intentional harm. Little evidence of an association between these thoughts and aggressive parenting was found. Unwanted intrusive thoughts of harming one’s infant are a relatively normative experience during the early postpartum period, particularly in association with greater parenting stress and low social support.

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Title: New mothers’ thoughts of harm related to the newborn
Authors: Nichole Fairbrother
Sheila R. Woody
Publication date: 01-07-2008
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-008-0016-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

New mothers’ thoughts of harm related to the newborn

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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