The role of psychological flexibility in mindful parenting during the postpartum period: A longitudinal study on the mediating effect of maternal psychopathology

Abstract

This study aimed to examine whether postpartum depression and anxiety mediated the relationship between psychological flexibility (PF)—measured through its three overarching dimensions: openness to experience, behavioral awareness, and engagement/valued action—and mindful parenting among postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it investigated changes in postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, and mindful parenting across two time points: before and during a lockdown period.

A total of 363 mothers of children aged 0–5 months participated in an online longitudinal study. The first assessment (T1) was conducted in December 2020, a period marked by eased COVID-19 restrictions. The second assessment (T2) took place in March 2021, during the third wave of the pandemic, which coincided with a lockdown period. Mothers completed self-report measures of PF (CompACT-18), postpartum anxiety (PSAS-RSF-C), postpartum depression (EPDS), and mindful parenting (IMP-I).

Behavioral awareness showed a significant indirect effect on mindful parenting through postpartum depression, while openness to experience indirectly influenced mindful parenting through postpartum anxiety. However, the valued action dimension did not significantly predict mothers’ mental health or mindful parenting outcomes. Postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and mindful parenting all increased over time.

These findings suggest that interventions designed to enhance psychological flexibility—particularly by fostering awareness and openness—could be highly beneficial for new mothers, especially in uncertain or high-stress situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, for example, may not only help postpartum mothers manage their mental health but also enhance their capacity for mindful parenting.