Maternal role and bonding implications of postpartum pelvic floor symptoms: a quantitative and qualitative investigation.

IF 1.6 4区心理学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology Pub Date : 2026-04-13 DOI:10.1080/02646838.2026.2657032

Kimberley A Johnson, Renata W Yen

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aims/background: Childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries and conditions (PFICs) can interfere with daily functioning and increase vulnerability to postpartum mental health concerns. In this study we explored the ways in which PFICs may also disrupt maternal role development and bonding.

Design/methods: Individuals with persistent postpartum pelvic floor concerns completed a cross-sectional survey that included validated measures of pelvic floor symptoms, parental competency, and role restriction, and an open-ended response question about the impact of pelvic floor symptoms on their relationship with their baby/children. We conducted independent samples t-tests, bivariate correlations, and multiple regression analyses for quantitative data and inductive thematic analysis for qualitative data.

Results: Of the 222 participants, 56% indicated that their relationship with their baby/child had been impacted by their pelvic floor symptoms; this group reported, on average, greater parental competency difficulties (2.57 vs 2.33, p = .010) and a more restricted role (3.56 vs. 3.26, p = .014). Pelvic floor symptom-related distress scores were associated with greater parental competency difficulties and role restriction. Through thematic analysis we identified five major themes related to how PFICs affected the maternal-child relationship, including activity limitations (particularly carrying or babywearing), bonding difficulties, discrepancy between expectations and reality of motherhood due to PFICs, trouble being present with children, and regret or resentment towards their baby.

Conclusion: PFICs were meaningfully connected to difficulties with maternal role adjustment, maternal-child bonding, and overall wellbeing in the postpartum period. These findings highlight the value of integrating physical health considerations, including pelvic floor symptoms, into our understanding of maternal-child bonding.

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产后盆底症状的母亲角色和结合意义：一项定量和定性调查。

目的/背景：分娩相关盆底损伤和疾病（pfic）可干扰日常功能并增加产后心理健康问题的脆弱性。在这项研究中，我们探讨了pfic也可能破坏母亲角色发展和联系的方式。设计/方法：持续存在产后盆底问题的个体完成了一项横断面调查，包括盆底症状、父母能力和角色限制的有效测量，以及一个关于盆底症状对其与婴儿/儿童关系影响的开放式回答问题。我们对定量数据进行了独立样本t检验、双变量相关性和多元回归分析，对定性数据进行了归纳主题分析。结果：在222名参与者中，56%的人表示她们与婴儿/孩子的关系受到盆底症状的影响；平均而言，这一组报告了更大的父母能力困难(2.57 vs 2.33, p =。010)和更有限的作用（3.56 vs. 3.26, p = .014）。盆底症状相关窘迫评分与父母能力困难和角色限制相关。通过主题分析，我们确定了与pfic如何影响母婴关系相关的五个主要主题，包括活动限制（特别是携带或穿着婴儿），结合困难，pfic导致的母亲期望与现实之间的差异，与孩子在一起的困难，以及对孩子的遗憾或怨恨。结论：pfic与产后母亲角色调整困难、母子关系和整体幸福感有显著关系。这些发现强调了将生理健康因素（包括盆底症状）纳入我们对母婴关系的理解的价值。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY-

CiteScore

6.80

自引率

8.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology reports and reviews outstanding research on psychological, behavioural, medical and social aspects of human reproduction, pregnancy and infancy. Medical topics focus on obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and psychiatry. The growing work in relevant aspects of medical communication and medical sociology are also covered. Relevant psychological work includes developmental psychology, clinical psychology, social psychology, behavioural medicine, psychology of women and health psychology. Research into psychological aspects of midwifery, health visiting and nursing is central to the interests of the Journal. The Journal is of special value to those concerned with interdisciplinary issues. As a result, the Journal is of particular interest to those concerned with fundamental processes in behaviour and to issues of health promotion and service organization.