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Interplay of Dyadic Consensus, Reflective Functioning, and Perinatal Affective Difficulties in Modulating Fear of COVID-19 among First-Time Mothers: A Mediation Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Fontana

    (Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Sonia Mangialavori

    (Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Grazia Terrone

    (Department of History, Cultural Heritage, Education and Society, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy)

  • Lucrezia Trani

    (Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Eleonora Topino

    (Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Valeria Trincia

    (Department of Mental Health, ASL Roma 1, 00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Giulia Lisi

    (Department of Mental Health, ASL Roma 1, 00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Ducci

    (Department of Mental Health, ASL Roma 1, 00193 Rome, Italy)

  • Marco Cacioppo

    (Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated fears and anxieties, potentially influencing maternal perinatal mental health. This study addresses a gap in the literature on fear of COVID-19 in pregnant women, aiming to identify contributing factors. Method: Participants were 401 primiparous women with an average age of 34 years (SD = 4.56) who were recruited through the National Health System during birth support courses. They completed a series of self-reported instruments via an online survey, providing information on their levels of reflective functioning, dyadic consensus, perinatal maternal affectivity, and fear of COVID-19. Pearson’s correlation and mediation analysis via a generalized linear model were implemented to analyze the collected data. Results: The relationship between dyadic consensus and fear of COVID-19 was significant and negative. Furthermore, a significant parallel mediation involving perinatal maternal affectivity and reflective functioning was found to the extent that, when these factors were inserted into the model, the direct association between dyadic consensus and fear of COVID-19 became non-significant (total mediation). Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of dyadic adjustment in alleviating maternal COVID-19 fear, emphasizing interventions promoting couple functioning, mentalization, and addressing affective difficulties. Such approaches are vital for supporting expecting mothers during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Fontana & Sonia Mangialavori & Grazia Terrone & Lucrezia Trani & Eleonora Topino & Valeria Trincia & Giulia Lisi & Giuseppe Ducci & Marco Cacioppo, 2024. "Interplay of Dyadic Consensus, Reflective Functioning, and Perinatal Affective Difficulties in Modulating Fear of COVID-19 among First-Time Mothers: A Mediation Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:7:p:848-:d:1424999
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Niccolò Morandotti & Natascia Brondino & Alessia Merelli & Annalisa Boldrini & Giulia Zelda De Vidovich & Sara Ricciardo & Vera Abbiati & Paolo Ambrosi & Edgardo Caverzasi & Peter Fonagy & Patrick Luy, 2018. "The Italian version of the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire: Validity data for adults and its association with severity of borderline personality disorder," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, November.
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