Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Archives of Women's Mental Health 1/2013

01.02.2013 | Original Article

The impact of subjective birth experiences on post-traumatic stress symptoms: a longitudinal study

verfasst von: Susan Garthus-Niegel, Tilmann von Soest, Margarete E. Vollrath, Malin Eberhard-Gran

Erschienen in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Ausgabe 1/2013

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

The aim of this prospective study was to examine the etiology of post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth within a transactional framework of stress. Participants were women (N = 1,499) from the Akershus Birth Cohort. These women were followed from pregnancy to 8 weeks postpartum. We modeled predisposing factors (e.g., fear of childbirth) and precipitating factors (subjective and objective birth experiences) as predictors of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Post-traumatic stress symptoms were measured by means of the Impact of Event Scale, objective birth experiences by means of birth journals, and subjective birth experiences by means of three questions. A structural equation model showed that subjective birth experiences had the highest association with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Moreover, they mediated the effect of predisposing factors and objective birth experiences. The results suggest that women’s subjective birth experiences are the most important factor in the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth.
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4 edn. Washington DC. American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4 edn. Washington DC.
Zurück zum Zitat Andersson L, Sundstrom-Poromaa I, Wulff M, Astrom M, Bixo M (2004) Implications of antenatal depression and anxiety for obstetric outcome. Obstet Gynecol 104:467–476PubMedCrossRef Andersson L, Sundstrom-Poromaa I, Wulff M, Astrom M, Bixo M (2004) Implications of antenatal depression and anxiety for obstetric outcome. Obstet Gynecol 104:467–476PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ayers S (2004) Delivery as a traumatic event: prevalence, risk factors, and treatment for postnatal posttraumatic stress disorder. Clin Obstet Gynecol 47:552–567PubMedCrossRef Ayers S (2004) Delivery as a traumatic event: prevalence, risk factors, and treatment for postnatal posttraumatic stress disorder. Clin Obstet Gynecol 47:552–567PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ayers S, Eagle A, Waring H (2006) The effects of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder on women and their relationships: a qualitative study. Psychol Health Med 11:389–398PubMedCrossRef Ayers S, Eagle A, Waring H (2006) The effects of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder on women and their relationships: a qualitative study. Psychol Health Med 11:389–398PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ayers S, Joseph S, McKenzie-McHarg K, Slade P, Wijma K (2008) Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth: current issues and recommendations for future research. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 29:240–250CrossRef Ayers S, Joseph S, McKenzie-McHarg K, Slade P, Wijma K (2008) Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth: current issues and recommendations for future research. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 29:240–250CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ayers S, Pickering AD (2001) Do women get posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of childbirth? A prospective study of incidence. Birth 28:111–118PubMedCrossRef Ayers S, Pickering AD (2001) Do women get posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of childbirth? A prospective study of incidence. Birth 28:111–118PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ayers S, Harris R, Sawyer A, Parfitt Y, Ford E (2009) Posttraumatic stress disorder after childbirth: analysis of symptom presentation and sampling. J Affect Disord 119:200–204CrossRef Ayers S, Harris R, Sawyer A, Parfitt Y, Ford E (2009) Posttraumatic stress disorder after childbirth: analysis of symptom presentation and sampling. J Affect Disord 119:200–204CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bailham D, Slade P, Joseph S (2004) Principal components analysis of the Perceptions of Labour and Delivery Scale and revised scoring criteria. JReprod Infant Psychol 22:157–165CrossRef Bailham D, Slade P, Joseph S (2004) Principal components analysis of the Perceptions of Labour and Delivery Scale and revised scoring criteria. JReprod Infant Psychol 22:157–165CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Baron RM, Kenny DA (1986) The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. J Personal Soc Psychol 51:1173–1182CrossRef Baron RM, Kenny DA (1986) The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. J Personal Soc Psychol 51:1173–1182CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bollen KA (1989) Structural equations with latent variables. Wiley, New York Bollen KA (1989) Structural equations with latent variables. Wiley, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Cohen MM, Ansara D, Schei B, Stuckless N, Stewart DE (2004) Posttraumatic stress disorder after pregnancy, labor, and delivery. J Women's Health 13:315–324CrossRef Cohen MM, Ansara D, Schei B, Stuckless N, Stewart DE (2004) Posttraumatic stress disorder after pregnancy, labor, and delivery. J Women's Health 13:315–324CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R (1987) Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry 150:782–786PubMedCrossRef Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R (1987) Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry 150:782–786PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Creedy DK, Shochet IM, Horsfall J (2000) Childbirth and the development of acute trauma symptoms: incidence and contributing factors. Birth 27:104–111PubMedCrossRef Creedy DK, Shochet IM, Horsfall J (2000) Childbirth and the development of acute trauma symptoms: incidence and contributing factors. Birth 27:104–111PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Czarnocka J, Slade P (2000) Prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth. Br J Clin Psychol 39:35–51PubMedCrossRef Czarnocka J, Slade P (2000) Prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth. Br J Clin Psychol 39:35–51PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Davies J, Slade P, Wright I, Stewart P (2008) Posttraumatic stress symptoms following childbirth and mothers' perceptions of their infants. Infant Ment Health J 29:537–554CrossRef Davies J, Slade P, Wright I, Stewart P (2008) Posttraumatic stress symptoms following childbirth and mothers' perceptions of their infants. Infant Ment Health J 29:537–554CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Eberhard-Gran M, Eskild A, Tambs K, Schei B, Opjordsmoen S (2001) The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: validation in a Norwegian community sample. Nordic J Psychiatry 55:113–117CrossRef Eberhard-Gran M, Eskild A, Tambs K, Schei B, Opjordsmoen S (2001) The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: validation in a Norwegian community sample. Nordic J Psychiatry 55:113–117CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Eberhard-Gran M, Tambs K, Opjordsmoen S, Skrondal A, Eskild A (2003) A comparison of anxiety and depressive symptomatology in postpartum and non-postpartum mothers. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 38:551–556PubMedCrossRef Eberhard-Gran M, Tambs K, Opjordsmoen S, Skrondal A, Eskild A (2003) A comparison of anxiety and depressive symptomatology in postpartum and non-postpartum mothers. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 38:551–556PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ford E, Ayers S, Bradley R (2010) Exploration of a cognitive model to predict post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth. J Anxiety Disord 24:353–359PubMedCrossRef Ford E, Ayers S, Bradley R (2010) Exploration of a cognitive model to predict post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth. J Anxiety Disord 24:353–359PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gottvall K, Waldenstrom U (2002) Does a traumatic birth experience have an impact on future reproduction? BJOG: Int J Obstet Gynaecol 109:254–260CrossRef Gottvall K, Waldenstrom U (2002) Does a traumatic birth experience have an impact on future reproduction? BJOG: Int J Obstet Gynaecol 109:254–260CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hayes AF (2009) Beyond Baron and Kenny: statistical mediation analysis in the new millennium. ComM 76:408–420 Hayes AF (2009) Beyond Baron and Kenny: statistical mediation analysis in the new millennium. ComM 76:408–420
Zurück zum Zitat Horowitz M, Wilner N, Alvarez W (1979) Impact of Event Scale: a measure of subjective stress. Psychosom Med 41:209–218PubMed Horowitz M, Wilner N, Alvarez W (1979) Impact of Event Scale: a measure of subjective stress. Psychosom Med 41:209–218PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Joseph S (2000) Psychometric evaluation of Horowitz's Impact of Event Scale: a review. J Trauma Stress 13:101–113PubMedCrossRef Joseph S (2000) Psychometric evaluation of Horowitz's Impact of Event Scale: a review. J Trauma Stress 13:101–113PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Keogh E, Ayers S, Francis H (2002) Does anxiety sensitivity predict post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth? A preliminary report. Cogn Behav Ther 31:145–155CrossRef Keogh E, Ayers S, Francis H (2002) Does anxiety sensitivity predict post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth? A preliminary report. Cogn Behav Ther 31:145–155CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kersting A, Dorsch M, Wesselmann U, Ludorff K, Witthaut J, Ohrmann P et al (2004) Maternal posttraumatic stress response after the birth of a very low-birth-weight infant. J Psychosom Res 57:473–476PubMedCrossRef Kersting A, Dorsch M, Wesselmann U, Ludorff K, Witthaut J, Ohrmann P et al (2004) Maternal posttraumatic stress response after the birth of a very low-birth-weight infant. J Psychosom Res 57:473–476PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Lazarus RS (1966) Psychological stress and the coping process. McGraw-Hill, New York Lazarus RS (1966) Psychological stress and the coping process. McGraw-Hill, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Lazarus RS, Folkman S (1984) Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer, New York Lazarus RS, Folkman S (1984) Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer, New York
Zurück zum Zitat McDonald S, Slade P, Spiby H, Iles J (2011) Post-traumatic stress symptoms, parenting stress and mother-child relationships following childbirth and at 2 years postpartum. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 32:141–146CrossRef McDonald S, Slade P, Spiby H, Iles J (2011) Post-traumatic stress symptoms, parenting stress and mother-child relationships following childbirth and at 2 years postpartum. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 32:141–146CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Murray D, Cox JL (1990) Screening for depression during pregnancy with the Edinburgh depression scale (EPDS). J Reprod Infant Psychol 8:99–107CrossRef Murray D, Cox JL (1990) Screening for depression during pregnancy with the Edinburgh depression scale (EPDS). J Reprod Infant Psychol 8:99–107CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Muthén LK, Muthén BO (2010) Mplus user's guide, 6th edn. Muthén & Muthén, Los Angeles Muthén LK, Muthén BO (2010) Mplus user's guide, 6th edn. Muthén & Muthén, Los Angeles
Zurück zum Zitat Neal LA, Busuttil W, Rollins J, Herepath R, Strike P, Turnbull G (1994) Convergent validity of measures of post-traumatic stress disorder in a mixed military and civilian population. J Trauma Stress 7:447–455PubMedCrossRef Neal LA, Busuttil W, Rollins J, Herepath R, Strike P, Turnbull G (1994) Convergent validity of measures of post-traumatic stress disorder in a mixed military and civilian population. J Trauma Stress 7:447–455PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Nettelbladt P, Hansson L, Stefansson CG, Borgquist L, Nordstrom G (1993) Test characteristics of the Hopkins Symptom Check List-25 (HSCL-25) in Sweden, using the Present State Examination (PSE-9) as a caseness criterion. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 28:130–133PubMedCrossRef Nettelbladt P, Hansson L, Stefansson CG, Borgquist L, Nordstrom G (1993) Test characteristics of the Hopkins Symptom Check List-25 (HSCL-25) in Sweden, using the Present State Examination (PSE-9) as a caseness criterion. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 28:130–133PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Olde E, van der Hart O, Kleber R, van Son M (2006a) Posttraumatic stress following childbirth: a review. Clin Psychol Rev 26:1–16PubMedCrossRef Olde E, van der Hart O, Kleber R, van Son M (2006a) Posttraumatic stress following childbirth: a review. Clin Psychol Rev 26:1–16PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Olde E, van der Hart O, Kleber RJ, van Son MJ, Wijnen HA, Pop VJ (2005) Peritraumatic dissociation and emotions as predictors of PTSD symptoms following childbirth. J Trauma Dissociation 6:125–142PubMedCrossRef Olde E, van der Hart O, Kleber RJ, van Son MJ, Wijnen HA, Pop VJ (2005) Peritraumatic dissociation and emotions as predictors of PTSD symptoms following childbirth. J Trauma Dissociation 6:125–142PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Olde E, Kleber RJ, van der Hart O, Pop VJM (2006b) Childbirth and posttraumatic stress responses: a validation study of the Dutch Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Eur J Psychol Assess 22:259–267CrossRef Olde E, Kleber RJ, van der Hart O, Pop VJM (2006b) Childbirth and posttraumatic stress responses: a validation study of the Dutch Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Eur J Psychol Assess 22:259–267CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ozer EJ, Best SR, Lipsey TL, Weiss DS (2003) Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and symptoms in adults: a meta-analysis. Psychol Bull 129:52–73PubMedCrossRef Ozer EJ, Best SR, Lipsey TL, Weiss DS (2003) Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and symptoms in adults: a meta-analysis. Psychol Bull 129:52–73PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Padawer JA, Fagan C, Janoff-Bulman R, Strickland BR (1988) Women's psychological adjustment following emergency cesarean versus vaginal delivery. Psychol Women Q 12:25–34CrossRef Padawer JA, Fagan C, Janoff-Bulman R, Strickland BR (1988) Women's psychological adjustment following emergency cesarean versus vaginal delivery. Psychol Women Q 12:25–34CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ryding EL, Wijma K, Wijma B (1998) Psychological impact of emergency cesarean section in comparison with elective cesarean section, instrumental and normal vaginal delivery. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 19:135–144CrossRef Ryding EL, Wijma K, Wijma B (1998) Psychological impact of emergency cesarean section in comparison with elective cesarean section, instrumental and normal vaginal delivery. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 19:135–144CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Salomonsson B, Wijma K, Alehagen S (2010) Swedish midwives' perceptions of fear of childbirth. Midwifery 26:327–337PubMedCrossRef Salomonsson B, Wijma K, Alehagen S (2010) Swedish midwives' perceptions of fear of childbirth. Midwifery 26:327–337PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Sheehan DV, Lecrubier Y, Sheehan KH, Amorim P, Janavs J, Weiller E et al (1998) The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I): the development and validation of a structured diagnostic psychiatric interview for DSM-IV and ICD-10. J Clin Psychiatry 59:22–33PubMed Sheehan DV, Lecrubier Y, Sheehan KH, Amorim P, Janavs J, Weiller E et al (1998) The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I): the development and validation of a structured diagnostic psychiatric interview for DSM-IV and ICD-10. J Clin Psychiatry 59:22–33PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Slade P (2006) Towards a conceptual framework for understanding post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth and implications for further research. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 27:99–105CrossRef Slade P (2006) Towards a conceptual framework for understanding post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth and implications for further research. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 27:99–105CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Söderquist J, Wijma K, Wijma B (2002) Traumatic stress after childbirth: the role of obstetric variables. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 23:31–39CrossRef Söderquist J, Wijma K, Wijma B (2002) Traumatic stress after childbirth: the role of obstetric variables. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 23:31–39CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Söderquist J, Wijma K, Wijma B (2004) Traumatic stress in late pregnancy. J Anxiety Disord 18:127–142PubMedCrossRef Söderquist J, Wijma K, Wijma B (2004) Traumatic stress in late pregnancy. J Anxiety Disord 18:127–142PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Soet JE, Brack GA, DiIorio C (2003) Prevalence and predictors of women's experience of psychological trauma during childbirth. Birth 30:36–46PubMedCrossRef Soet JE, Brack GA, DiIorio C (2003) Prevalence and predictors of women's experience of psychological trauma during childbirth. Birth 30:36–46PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Turton P, Hughes P, Evans CD, Fainman D (2001) Incidence, correlates and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder in the pregnancy after stillbirth. Br J Psychiatry 178:556–560PubMedCrossRef Turton P, Hughes P, Evans CD, Fainman D (2001) Incidence, correlates and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder in the pregnancy after stillbirth. Br J Psychiatry 178:556–560PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Wijma K, Söderquist J, Wijma B (1997) Posttraumatic stress disorder after childbirth: a cross sectional study. J Anxiety Disord 11:587–597PubMedCrossRef Wijma K, Söderquist J, Wijma B (1997) Posttraumatic stress disorder after childbirth: a cross sectional study. J Anxiety Disord 11:587–597PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Wijma K, Wijma B, Zar M (1998) Psychometric aspects of the W-DEQ; a new questionnaire for the measurement of fear of childbirth. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 19:84–97CrossRef Wijma K, Wijma B, Zar M (1998) Psychometric aspects of the W-DEQ; a new questionnaire for the measurement of fear of childbirth. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 19:84–97CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
The impact of subjective birth experiences on post-traumatic stress symptoms: a longitudinal study
verfasst von
Susan Garthus-Niegel
Tilmann von Soest
Margarete E. Vollrath
Malin Eberhard-Gran
Publikationsdatum
01.02.2013
Verlag
Springer Vienna
Erschienen in
Archives of Women's Mental Health / Ausgabe 1/2013
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Elektronische ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0301-3

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 1/2013

Archives of Women's Mental Health 1/2013 Zur Ausgabe