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Do Improvements in Maternal Mental Health Predict Improvements in Parenting? Mechanisms of the Mindful with Your Baby Training

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  • Eva S. Potharst

    (UvA Minds, Academic Outpatient (Child and Adolescent) Treatment Centre of the University of Amsterdam, Banstraat 29, 1071 JW Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Manon Kuijl

    (UvA Minds, Academic Outpatient (Child and Adolescent) Treatment Centre of the University of Amsterdam, Banstraat 29, 1071 JW Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Daphne Wind

    (UvA Minds, Academic Outpatient (Child and Adolescent) Treatment Centre of the University of Amsterdam, Banstraat 29, 1071 JW Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Mindfulness by Daphne, Harlingerstraatweg 27, 8913 AB Leeuwarden, The Netherlands)

  • Susan M. Bögels

    (Developmental Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-B, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Postpartum mental health symptoms are associated with parenting difficulties, which have negative consequences for child development. Interventions for young mothers should target their mental health problems and parenting difficulties. Mindful with Your Baby (MwyB) is an intervention for parents, with a baby, who experience (mental) health problems and/or stress or insecurity in parenting. This study seeks to replicate previous effects of MwyB regarding mindfulness, mindful parenting, maternal (mental) health (psychological distress, depressive mood, physical health complaints) and parenting outcomes (parenting stress, parental self-efficacy, bonding), and gain insight into the working mechanisms of the training. Mothers with babies aged 1–18 months ( n = 61) completed questionnaires at waitlist, pretest, posttest, and 8-week follow-up. No significant differences were seen between the waitlist and pretest. Significant improvements in all outcomes were shown in the posttest (except for physical health complaints) and follow-up, compared to the pretest. Improvements in depressive symptoms and physical health complaints were dependent on improvements in mindfulness. Improvements in parental self-efficacy were dependent on improvements in mindful parenting. Improvements in some (mental) health and parenting outcomes seemed to be bidirectional. The results suggest that both mindfulness and mindful parenting are important for mothers who experience psychological distress and/or stress or insecurity in parenting their babies.

Suggested Citation

  • Eva S. Potharst & Manon Kuijl & Daphne Wind & Susan M. Bögels, 2022. "Do Improvements in Maternal Mental Health Predict Improvements in Parenting? Mechanisms of the Mindful with Your Baby Training," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7571-:d:843870
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karolina Lutkiewicz & Łucja Bieleninik & Mariusz Cieślak & Mariola Bidzan, 2020. "Maternal–Infant Bonding and Its Relationships with Maternal Depressive Symptoms, Stress and Anxiety in the Early Postpartum Period in a Polish Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Barboza-Salerno, Gia Elise, 2020. "Cognitive readiness to parent, stability and change in postpartum parenting stress and social-emotional problems in early childhood: A second order growth curve model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
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