Postnatal depression – the role of attachment and mentalization

Abstract

The aim of the study: The aim of this paper was to find differences in the quality of relationships with a partner, mother’s attachment to the child, mentalization capacity and the style of the mother’s attachment between groups of women with and without postnatal depression (also referred to as postpartum depression) as measured by the EPDS questionnaire. Materials and methods: The research group comprised 68 women in total. They were divided into two groups. Thirty-three women who scored more than or equal to 12 points in the EPDS questionnaire were included in the group with postnatal depression. The control group consisted of 35 women who scored below 12 points on the same scale. Results: The following tools were used in the study: Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR), Mental Scale Task (MST), Quality of Relationships Inventory (QRI), and Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ). Conclusions: The results obtained point out to specific differences between the two groups. The women whose EPDS score indicates postnatal depression are characterized by a weaker bond with their child, weakened mentalization capacity, their attachment patterns are more often insecure and relationship-related problems tend to occur. postnatal depression; attachment; relationship; mentalization