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Personal Growth 4 Years After Premature Childbirth: The Role of Change in Maternal Mental Health

Author

Listed:
  • Ginna Porat-Zyman

    (Bar-Ilan University)

  • Orit Taubman – Ben-Ari

    (Bar-Ilan University)

  • Jacob Kuint

    (Tel Aviv University)

  • Iris Morag

    (Tel Aviv University)

Abstract

Using a longitudinal design, the current study aimed to extend previous research by exploring three questions concerning the mechanism underlying the process of mothers’ personal growth in the aftermath of a premature birth: Are the positive changes reported previously by women who gave birth prematurely long-lasting and salient 4 years post-partum? Does the degree of change in maternal mental health over time predict personal growth 4 years after childbirth? Does the change in maternal mental health mediate between premature birth and personal growth 4 years later? Mental health was examined in four assessment waves: 1 month, and 1, 2, and 4 years after childbirth. Personal growth was tapped in the last wave. Data were collected from 561 Israeli mothers. The findings reveal that mothers who gave birth prematurely report higher personal growth 4 years after childbirth than mothers who delivered at full-term. Moreover, higher initial mental health and greater improvement in mental health over time predicted higher personal growth. In addition, the higher personal growth shown by women who gave birth prematurely was explained by their greater improvement in mental health over time than women who delivered at full-term. Finally, more highly educated and multiparous women reported an increase in mental health over time, which, in turn was associated with higher personal growth. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ginna Porat-Zyman & Orit Taubman – Ben-Ari & Jacob Kuint & Iris Morag, 2019. "Personal Growth 4 Years After Premature Childbirth: The Role of Change in Maternal Mental Health," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(6), pages 1739-1750, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-018-0012-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-0012-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Orit Taubman - Ben-Ari & Shirley Ben Shlomo & Liora Findler, 2012. "Personal Growth and Meaning in Life Among First-Time Mothers and Grandmothers," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(5), pages 801-820, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Erika Baraldi & Mara Westling Allodi & Ann-Charlotte Smedler & Björn Westrup & Kristina Löwing & Ulrika Ådén, 2020. "Parents’ Experiences of the First Year at Home with an Infant Born Extremely Preterm with and without Post-Discharge Intervention: Ambivalence, Loneliness, and Relationship Impact," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-26, December.

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