Different coping strategies influence the development of PTSD among first-time mothers

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the different coping strategies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), described in the non-obstetric trauma literature, with respect to first time postpartum women.

Study design: This was a prospective cohort study conducted between 2011 and 2013. Eligible women had a singleton pregnancy and delivered a healthy newborn at term. Five sets of relevant questionnaires were sent to the participants six weeks postpartum. Posttraumatic stress disorder was defined as per DSM-V criteria.

Results: One hundred and eighty eight completed questionnaires were considered for the final analysis. Two women (1.1%) had PTSD and nine women (4.8%) had partial PTSD. Coping by self-blame and/or rumination together with perception of resource loss emerged as independent variables that were significantly associated with post-traumatic symptomatology (PTS) severity. Objective birth factors such as participation in birth classes or the different modes of delivery seem to have no significant impact on postpartum PTS in our study.

Conclusions: Cognitive coping styles such as self-blame and rumination, as well as perception of resource loss, were all related to postpartum PTS. Redirecting resources to address postpartum negative coping mechanisms may reduce the overall incidence of full and partial postpartum PTSD.

Keywords:

• Posttraumatic stress disorder
• coping strategies
• resource loss
• birth factors
• postpartum

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interests, including no financial interest.