The Dynamics of Eudaimonic Well-Being in the Transition to Parenthood: Differences Between Fathers and Mothers

Brandel, Martina; Melchiorri, Erika; Ruini, Chiara

doi:10.1177/0192513x18758344

Cited by 22 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This result could be explained by the temporal proximity to birth. Previous studies have suggested that the period after birth is associated with an increase in wellbeing, positive emotions, life satisfaction, and meaning in life (Bassi et al, 2017; Brandel et al, 2018; Dyrdal & Lucas, 2013; Nelson et al, 2013). This may suggest that becoming a mother is a positive event particularly linked with positive mental health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Is positive mental health and the absence of mental illness the same? Factors associated with flourishing and the absence of depressive symptoms in postpartum women

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective Exploring a wide range of factors associated with flourishing and with the absence of depressive symptoms among postpartum women. Methods A sample of 661 postpartum women completed a set of questionnaires assessing sociodemographic and infant‐related data, flourishing, psychological flexibility, self‐compassion, resilience, and maternal confidence. Results Younger infant age, higher levels of maternal confidence, and resilience increased the likelihood of flourishing. In turn, higher income, fewer problems with an infant's sleep, perceiving an infant's temperament as easy, and higher psychological flexibility increased the likelihood of not having depressive symptoms. Appraising the support received by others as good and having higher self‐compassion increased the likelihood of both outcomes. Conclusions Our results support positive mental health and mental illness being related but distinct dimensions. Promoting positive mental health in the postpartum period should be an additional goal in public health care as it may efficiently complement the prevention of psychopathology.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Is positive mental health and the absence of mental illness the same? Factors associated with flourishing and the absence of depressive symptoms in postpartum women

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…They are independent constructs ( 45 , 46 ) with distinct consequences on parenting and child development [see ( 47 ) for review]. Past studies also found enhanced positive mental health when women transit to motherhood ( 48 , 49 ). As such, positive mental health symptoms were subsequently added to the depressive-anxiety networks for a more comprehensive understanding of maternal mental health ( 48 ) in the current study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Network Analyses of Maternal Pre- and Post-Partum Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Maternal mental health problems often develop prenatally and predict post-partum mental health. However, the circumstances before and following childbirth differ considerably. We currently lack an understanding of dynamic variation in the profiles of depressive and anxiety symptoms over the perinatal period. Methods Depressive and anxiety symptoms were self-reported by 980 women at 26-week pregnancy and 3 months post-partum. We used network analysis of depressive and anxiety symptoms to investigate if the symptoms network changed during and after pregnancy. The pre- and post-partum depressive-anxiety symptom networks were assessed for changes in structure, unique symptom-symptom interactions, central and bridging symptoms. We also assessed if central symptoms had stronger predictive effect on offspring’s developmental outcomes outcomes at birth and 24, 54, and 72 months old than non-central symptoms. Bridging symptoms between negative and positive mental health were also assessed. Results Though the depressive-anxiety network structures were stable during and after pregnancy, the post-partum network was more strongly connected. The central depressive-anxiety symptoms were also different between prenatal and post-partum networks. During pregnancy, central symptoms were mostly related to feeling worthless or useless; after pregnancy, central symptoms were mostly related to feeling overwhelmed or being punished. Central symptoms during pregnancy were associated with poorer developmental outcomes for the child. Anxiety symptoms were strongest bridging symptoms during and after pregnancy. The interactions between negative and positive mental health symptoms were also different during and after pregnancy. Conclusions The differences between pre- and post-partum networks suggest that the presentation of maternal mental health problems varies over the peripartum period. This variation is not captured by traditional symptom scale scores. The bridging symptoms also suggest that anxiety symptoms may precede the development of maternal depression. Interventions and public health policies should thus be tailored to specific pre- and post-partum symptom profiles.

show abstract

“…Depression was also measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)87 in four articles,51,58,60,70 with Beck Depression Inventory88 in three articles,47,53,71 with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale89 in two articles 43,45…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By contrast, after childbirth, primiparous women reported higher environmental mastery and self-acceptance than multiparous women. The second investigation45 focused on 50 fathers and found that their levels of eudaimonia increased after childbirth, more than those of mothers. However, at postpartum, EWB was largely predicted by pre-natal levels in both parents.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There were significant differences between Profiles 1 and 2 and Profiles 4 and 5, with the latter groups reporting lower levels of depression.Differeces among profiles ranging from η 2 =0.46 to 0.85 for eudiamonic well-being; η 2 =0.48 for differences in depressionBohlmeijer et al (2015)56The NetherlandsMental Health Continnum (MHC), 14 items,CES-D, 20 items376 adults (mean age=42 years) with mild to moderate depressive symptomsRandomized controlled trial with follow-upTo evaluate the impacts of a guided self-help intervention based on Acceptance and Committment Therapy (ACT) vs waiting list on flourishingACT had a positive effect on flourishing. Baseline levels of positive mental health and decrease in depressive sympotoms during treatment predicted flourishing at follow-up.Not availableBrandel et al (2018)45ItalyRyff’s Psychological Well-being Scales 42 itemsEdinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale50 pregnant couples (n=50 fathers-to-be; n=50 mothers-to-be; age range 24–53 yearsComparative and longitudinal designTo examine eudaimonic well-being during the transition to parenthood, considering depressive symptoms and gender differences.Having a child increased well-being in both parents, but improvements were more robust for fathers. Gender differences accounted for 4.6% of the variance in postnatal eudaimonic well-being, while prenatal levels of eudaimonic well-being accounted for 70%.Predictors of postmnatal eudiamonia: gender: η 2 =0.46 baseline PWB: η 2 .700, gender×change in depression η 2 .009 change in depression: η 2 .002Brooks et al (2017)73 CanadaElevation Experience Scale 9 itemsDASS 21 items121 undergraduate students (mean age=21.54 years)Cross-sectional, 3 experimental studiesTo show the beneficial effect of nature contact on mood and human well-being.Across three different experiments, it was found that both actual and pictorial nature contact benefitted moods, even though actual nature was more effective.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

<p>Spotlight on eudaimonia and depression. A systematic review of the literature over the past 5 years</p>

Ruini¹,

Cesetti²

2019

PRBM

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and aim Recent investigations pointed out to the important role of well-being in influencing physical and mental health, with robust findings for the dimension of depression. The aim of this systematic review is to provide an updated summary of articles focused on eudaimonia and depression, including psychosocial interventions that addressed both issues. Method The literature search was performed by entering the keywords: “eudaimonia” OR “eudaimonic well-being (EWB)” and “depression” and by limiting to “journal article” and to the English language. To be included in this, review articles had to present at least one EWB measure and one depression measure, and had to investigate young and adult populations, including populations with mental health disorders. Articles were excluded if they were published before 2014. Results Thirty-four articles were included, with a total of 81,987 participants. About the majority of participants were recruited in two twin studies, followed by college students, and by adults belonging to the general and clinical populations. Sixteen different instruments assessed eudaimonia, being Ryff’s psychological well-being scale the most frequently used. The most used instrument for assessing depression was the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, followed by Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The studies confirmed the robust, inverse correlation between eudaimonia and depression, which was only partially explained by genetic common factors and which was mediated by other factors, as self-compassion, personality traits, and defense mechanisms. Various interventions were found to be effective both in promoting eudaimonia and in addressing depression, ranging from cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, to positive psychotherapy. Conclusion Clinicians, counselors, and practitioners can select different strategies to promote EWB and to address depression. The findings also suggest the need for a larger consensus on the definition of eudaimonia and on the specific measure(s) to evaluate it in different populations and in different life stages.

show abstract

The Dynamics of Eudaimonic Well-Being in the Transition to Parenthood: Differences Between Fathers and Mothers

Cited by 22 publications

References 38 publications

Is positive mental health and the absence of mental illness the same? Factors associated with flourishing and the absence of depressive symptoms in postpartum women

Is positive mental health and the absence of mental illness the same? Factors associated with flourishing and the absence of depressive symptoms in postpartum women

Network Analyses of Maternal Pre- and Post-Partum Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

<p>Spotlight on eudaimonia and depression. A systematic review of the literature over the past 5 years</p>

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About