TY - JOUR
T1 - The protective value of trait mindfulness for mothers' anxiety during the perinatal period
AU - Leyland, Anna F.
AU - Boekhorst, Myrthe G. B. M.
AU - Offermans, Julia E.
AU - Emerson, Lisa-Marie
AU - Hulsbosch, Lianne P.
AU - Potharst, Eva S.
PY - 2023/10
Y1 - 2023/10
N2 - Objectives: Anxiety is highly prevalent in the perinatal period and can have negative consequences for the mother and the child. Extensive research has been done on risk factors for anxiety during the perinatal period, but less is known about protective factors. The current study aims to determine the relative contribution of trait mindfulness as a protective factor for anxiety. Methods: A longitudinal study design was used, with four measurement points: 12, 22, and 32 weeks of pregnancy (T0, T1, and T2, respectively), and 6 weeks postpartum (T3). General anxiety was measured at T1, T2, and T3, pregnancy-specific distress was measured at T1 and T2, mindfulness facets (acting with awareness, non-reacting, and non-judging) and partner involvement were measured at T1, and other known risk factors for anxiety were measured at T0. Multilevel regression models were used for statistical analyses. Results: Mindfulness facets measured at T1 were negatively associated with anxiety at T1, T2, and T3, and pregnancy-specific distress at T1 and T2. Of the mindfulness facets, non-judging was shown to have the largest protective effect against anxiety and pregnancy-specific distress. Also compared to partner-involvement and known risk factors, non-judging showed the largest effect on anxiety and pregnancy-specific distress. Conclusions: For pregnant women who are at risk for developing or experiencing high levels of anxiety, it may be beneficial to participate in a mindfulness training with special attention for the attitudinal aspects of mindfulness.
AB - Objectives: Anxiety is highly prevalent in the perinatal period and can have negative consequences for the mother and the child. Extensive research has been done on risk factors for anxiety during the perinatal period, but less is known about protective factors. The current study aims to determine the relative contribution of trait mindfulness as a protective factor for anxiety. Methods: A longitudinal study design was used, with four measurement points: 12, 22, and 32 weeks of pregnancy (T0, T1, and T2, respectively), and 6 weeks postpartum (T3). General anxiety was measured at T1, T2, and T3, pregnancy-specific distress was measured at T1 and T2, mindfulness facets (acting with awareness, non-reacting, and non-judging) and partner involvement were measured at T1, and other known risk factors for anxiety were measured at T0. Multilevel regression models were used for statistical analyses. Results: Mindfulness facets measured at T1 were negatively associated with anxiety at T1, T2, and T3, and pregnancy-specific distress at T1 and T2. Of the mindfulness facets, non-judging was shown to have the largest protective effect against anxiety and pregnancy-specific distress. Also compared to partner-involvement and known risk factors, non-judging showed the largest effect on anxiety and pregnancy-specific distress. Conclusions: For pregnant women who are at risk for developing or experiencing high levels of anxiety, it may be beneficial to participate in a mindfulness training with special attention for the attitudinal aspects of mindfulness.
KW - Anxiety
KW - Mothers
KW - Partner support
KW - Pregnancy
KW - Stress
KW - Trait mindfulness
UR - https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=wosstart_imp_pure20230417&SrcAuth=WosAPI&KeyUT=WOS:001123888300001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL
U2 - 10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.104034
DO - 10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.104034
M3 - Article
C2 - 37716215
SN - 0001-6918
VL - 240
JO - Acta Psychologica
JF - Acta Psychologica
M1 - 104034
ER -