Maternal Well-Being

Abstract

Extensive research has been done on new mothers and their well-being post-pregnancy. Particularly, couples' relationship satisfaction has been shown to diminish as new mothers adjust to their new role (Lawrence, Rothman, Cobb, Rothman, & Bradbury, 2008). The purpose of this study is to look at potential factors play into this possible drop in satisfaction, in an effort to better understand this transition. Study participants included 101 first-time mothers in long-term relationships, with babies between 6 and 12 months old. Through a series of regression analyses, the researchers found that higher levels of differentiation were significantly associated with higher levels of perceived pregnancy health and higher levels of relationship satisfaction. Further, higher levels of perceived pregnancy health are associated with higher levels of relationship satisfaction, and levels of family coping act as a moderator between these two variables. The relational therapeutic implications of these findings are also discussed.

The moderating effect of differentiation: Education and health in married couples

“…This has rarely been studied. One study showed that higher levels of differentiation were associated with better health during pregnancy (Didericksen et al, 2014), and another showed that higher levels of differentiation moderated the association between stress and fibromyalgia symptoms, with those with higher differentiation showing a weaker association between stress and symptoms (Murray et al, 2007). The current results suggest that differentiation levels are associated with perceived health.…”

“…There is also some evidence that differentiation, stress, and physical health are associated. Didericksen, Edwards, Wetchler, and Walker (2014) demonstrated that higher levels of differentiation of self were related to higher levels of pregnancy health, which was then related to higher levels of relationship satisfaction during the transition to parenthood for mothers. Murray, Murray, and Daniels (2007) demonstrated that differentiation moderated the association between the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms and perceptions of stressful life events.…”

Relationship dynamics: the protective effect of relationship satisfaction and dependency on parents’ mental health after having a preterm baby

“…Ideally, a new mother will be healthy, and this will have a positive impact on the couple’s relationship. However, if the pregnancy or birth is problematic, the family coping mechanisms have a protective effect on relationship satisfaction ( Didericksen et al, 2015 ). Mothers who give birth preterm are under more psychological stress than other mothers are.…”

Family and Systems Theory in Counselor Education: A PRISMA Systematic Review

“…Multicultural as a primary theme encompasses articles that recommend multicultural sensitivity and postural humility in the conceptualization and treatment of specific disorders within the identified client or family. Such cultural elements include nationality and race (Alvardo et al, 2014; Björn et al, 2013; Choi & Oh, 2021; Clark & Winterowd, 2012; Hooper, 2014; Leong & Tang, 2016; Mitchell & Shillingford, 2017; Mounts & Bradley, 2020; Nadal et al, 2012; Pejic et al, 2017; Ramirez & St. David, 2021; Rodríguez-González et al, 2019; Sauerheber et al, 2014; Shin & Kelly, 2013; Trahan & Lemberger, 2014; Wilson, 2014; Yavuz Güler, 2021), spirituality (Davis et al, 2011), gender (Bean et al, 2016; Didericksen et al, 2015; Englar-Carlson & Kiselica, 2013; Hermann et al, 2020; Patel, 2021; Sperandio et al, 2021), sexual identity (Goodrich et al, 2019; McCullough et al, 2017; Reed et al, 2020; Trahan & Goodrich, 2015), age (Bell, 2018; Branson et al, 2019; Parham & Clauss-Ehlers, 2016), socioeconomic status (Godwin et al, 2013; Mansfield et al, 2013; West-Olatunji et al, 2011), and social justice (Crethar & Winterowd, 2012). Including these elements in a theme labeled Multicultural aligns with Singh et al's (2020) work with the multicultural and social justice counseling competencies for counselor education and professional counseling practice.…”

“…Gender was chosen as the title for this secondary theme because each of the included articles recommends that our conceptualization and interaction with an identified client or family adopt a social-constructionist perspective on gender and its individual and social impact. This includes the impact of gender stereotypes and social expectations for binary gender differences (Bean et al, 2016; Didericksen et al, 2015; Englar-Carlson & Kiselica, 2013; Hermann et al, 2020; Patel, 2021) and gender and pathology (Sperandio et al, 2021). These articles help advocate for gender as a multicultural issue and recommend a sensitive and humble posture in the approach of counselor educators and professional counselors in working with these issues.…”