Preterm delivery may lead to the emergence of symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD), which may, in turn, affect the quality of the mother-child relationship. The aim of this study is to shed light on the development of parenting stress in mothers of preterm and full-term children. It is hypothesized that PTSD symptoms mediate the relationship between preterm/full-term birth and the levels of parenting stress. Perinatal PTSD, parenting stress and social support were assessed in 156 mothers of full-term children and 87 mothers of preterm children. Mothers of preterm children experienced more post-traumatic stress and parenting stress than mothers of full-term children. However, the relationship between preterm delivery and subsequent levels of parenting stress was mediated by PTSD symptoms. These findings suggest that the maternal perception of childbirth as a traumatic experience and the subsequent development of PTSD symptoms are pivotal in the emergence of parenting stress.

Suttora, C., Spinelli, M., Monzani, D. (2014). From prematurity to parenting stress: The mediating role of perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, 11(4), 478-493 [10.1080/17405629.2013.859574].

From prematurity to parenting stress: The mediating role of perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder

SUTTORA, CHIARA
;
SPINELLI, MARIA;MONZANI, DARIO
2014

Abstract

Preterm delivery may lead to the emergence of symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD), which may, in turn, affect the quality of the mother-child relationship. The aim of this study is to shed light on the development of parenting stress in mothers of preterm and full-term children. It is hypothesized that PTSD symptoms mediate the relationship between preterm/full-term birth and the levels of parenting stress. Perinatal PTSD, parenting stress and social support were assessed in 156 mothers of full-term children and 87 mothers of preterm children. Mothers of preterm children experienced more post-traumatic stress and parenting stress than mothers of full-term children. However, the relationship between preterm delivery and subsequent levels of parenting stress was mediated by PTSD symptoms. These findings suggest that the maternal perception of childbirth as a traumatic experience and the subsequent development of PTSD symptoms are pivotal in the emergence of parenting stress.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Preterm delivery, Parenting stress, Perinatal PTSD, Mother-child relationship, Moderated-mediation
English
27-nov-2013
2014
11
4
478
493
none
Suttora, C., Spinelli, M., Monzani, D. (2014). From prematurity to parenting stress: The mediating role of perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, 11(4), 478-493 [10.1080/17405629.2013.859574].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/48721
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