Simon Ghinassi, Lucia Ponti, Alessia Carducci, Martina Smorti
{"title":"How can couple conflict influence the childbirth experience? The role of psychological distress and prenatal attachment.","authors":"Simon Ghinassi, Lucia Ponti, Alessia Carducci, Martina Smorti","doi":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2564307","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2564307","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous research highlights that couple conflict is associated with a more challenging childbirth experience, such as a more complicated labor. However, less is known about possible mediators of this relationship. This study aims to build upon previous evidence by examining the serial mediating role of maternal psychological distress and prenatal attachment on the relationships between couple conflict and labor experience. A longitudinal design was carried out on 162 nulliparous pregnant women (M<sub>age</sub> = 31.64 ± 4.87). At weeks 31-32 of gestation, participants filled out a battery of well-known self-report measures to assess the level of couple conflict, prenatal anxiety and depression, and prenatal attachment. The day of childbirth, hospital healthcare staff registered the clinical data of labor (duration of labor, administration of oxytocin and epidural analgesia in hours). The assessed structural model showed an adequate fit to the data, accounting for 49.40% of the variance in the labor experience. Couple conflict affects the experience of labor only indirectly, both through the serial mediating role of psychological distress and maternal-fetal attachment (<i>β</i> = 0.04; 95%CI: 0.003-0.048) and through the simple mediation of psychological distress (β = 0.10; 95%CI: 0.013-0.102). The results showed that the presence of conflict favors the psychological distress of women which, in turn, adversely affects their ability to bond with the fetus, and this chain of effects contributes to a more complicated labor experience. Therefore, these findings highlight the importance of systematically assessing couple conflict and maternal psychological distress during pregnancy, as timely psychological support and relational interventions may help reduce psychological distress, promote maternal - fetal bonding, and ultimately contribute to smoother and less complicated labor experiences.</p>","PeriodicalId":54535,"journal":{"name":"Psychology Health & Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"909-923"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of childbirth self-efficacy and fear of childbirth on prenatal attachment in risky pregnancies.","authors":"Şükran Başgöl, Emine Koç, Nazlı Baltacı","doi":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2565514","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2565514","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to investigate the effect of childbirth self-efficacy and fear of childbirth on prenatal attachment in patients with risky pregnancies. The study was designed as descriptive and cross-sectional research. Patients with risky pregnancies hospitalized in a perinatology clinic. A total of 210 pregnant women between 28 and 40 weeks of gestation were included in the study. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory Short Version 32 (CBSEI-32), Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire, and Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 23.0 was used to analyze study data. Pregnant women had moderate levels of childbirth self-efficacy, fear of childbirth, and prenatal attachment. A statistically significant weak positive correlation was observed between the total CBSEI-32 score, its subdimensions of outcome expectancy and efficacy expectancy, and PAI score (<i>p</i> = 0.000, <i>p</i> = 0.002, <i>p</i> = 0.000, respectively). The level of childbirth self-efficacy significantly and positively influenced prenatal attachment, with an explanatory power of 10.1% (<i>F</i><sub><i>(1)</i></sub> = 23.254, <i>p</i> = 0.000). In pregnant women, as the childbirth self-efficacy level increased, their prenatal attachment level also increased. However, the level of fear of childbirth did not affect prenatal attachment. Based on these findings, healthcare professionals are recommended to provide specialized care, counseling, and support for patients with risky pregnancies to enhance the perceptions of self-efficacy, thereby improving prenatal attachment levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":54535,"journal":{"name":"Psychology Health & Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"924-935"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145193799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Determinants of well-being in pregnancy in Turkish women: the role of body image and self-compassion.","authors":"Edanur Karayel, Fatma Uslu-Sahan","doi":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2552962","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2552962","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to examine the relationship between well-being, body image, and self-compassion during pregnancy and identify self-compassion's mediating role in this relationship. This descriptive correlational study was conducted with 162 pregnant women in a university hospital in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Participant Information Form, the Well-Being in Pregnancy Questionnaire, the Body Image in Pregnancy Scale, and the Compassion Scale-Short Form. Well-being was significantly correlated with body image (<i>r</i> = ‒0.47, <i>p</i> = 0.001) and self-compassion (<i>r</i> = 0.45, <i>p</i> = 0.001). In the final regression model, self-compassion (β = 0.308, 95% CI [0.170, 0.446], <i>p</i> = 0.001), body image (β = ‒0.294, 95% CI [-0.427, -0.161], <i>p</i> = 0.001), planned pregnancy (β = 0.174, 95% CI [0.045, 0.303], <i>p</i> = 0.008), and employment status (β = 0.153, 95% CI [0.026, 0.280], <i>p</i> = 0.018) were significant predictors of well-being. Mediation analysis revealed that self-compassion partially mediated the relationship between body image and well-being (indirect effect: B = ‒0.055, SE = 0.016, 95% CI [-0.088, -0.027], <i>p</i> = 0.001). The final model explained 38% of the variance in well-being. The findings highlight the negative relationship between well-being and body image during pregnancy, emphasizing the need for self-compassion-focused interventions in care to improve the well-being of pregnant women.</p>","PeriodicalId":54535,"journal":{"name":"Psychology Health & Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"859-873"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Harsh parenting and emotional and behavioral problems of rural adolescents: the chain mediation effect of insecure attachment and psychological resilience.","authors":"Zhang Jia-Yuan, Li Yang, Zhou Yu-Qiu","doi":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2536867","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2536867","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Harsh parenting is prevalent in rural China, and adolescents who experience it are more likely to exhibit emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs). However, the underlying mechanisms linking harsh parenting to EBPs remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to investigate the associations between harsh parenting and emotional and behavioral problems among rural adolescents and to examine the mediating roles of insecure attachment and psychological resilience in this relationship. Participants included 537 students from two rural junior high schools. Self-report measures were administered using the Harsh Parenting Scale, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire, and the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. SPSS 26.0 was used to analyze variable relationships and test the mediation model. Results showed that harsh parenting was positively associated with emotional and behavioral problems among rural adolescents. Furthermore, both insecure attachment and psychological resilience mediated this relationship. Additionally, a chain mediation effect was found, with insecure attachment and psychological resilience jointly mediating the association between harsh parenting and EBPs. These findings reveal the potential mechanisms through which harsh parenting affects adolescents' emotional and behavioral functioning and provide a theoretical basis for family- and individual-level interventions aimed at preventing such problems.</p>","PeriodicalId":54535,"journal":{"name":"Psychology Health & Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"980-994"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144735514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The relationship between prenatal care satisfaction, prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and readiness for newborn hygienic care in pregnant women: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Fatma Başar, Nigar Çelik","doi":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2524866","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2524866","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The care satisfaction of pregnant women is very important for maternal and newborn health. This study aimed to examine the and affecting factors relationships among prenatal care satisfaction, prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and readiness for newborn hygienic care. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital with 320 pregnant women. Data were collected using a personal information form, Prenatal Care Satisfaction Scale (PCSS), Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (PBSS), and Scale for Readiness of Pregnant Women to Hygienic Care of the Newborn (SRPHN). Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis-H, and Spearman's Correlation tests were used to analyze the data. The PCSS, PBSS and SRPHN mean scores were 72.32 ± 9.83, 87.01 ± 7.94 and 62.73 ± 9.08, respectively. There was a positive correlation between prenatal care satisfaction and prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and readiness for neonatal hygienic care. Prenatal care satisfaction was affected by income and health support. Prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy was influenced by educational status, income status, family structure, previous breastfeeding duration, and regular follow-up visits. Age, marriage duration, educational status, number of pregnancies, number of children, previous mode of delivery, and regular follow-up visits affected readiness for newborn hygienic care. Holistic care and well-planned education should be provided to women to improve prenatal care satisfaction, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and readiness for newborn hygienic care.</p>","PeriodicalId":54535,"journal":{"name":"Psychology Health & Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"874-888"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144531138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Validation of a revised nighttime fears scale-parent version (NFS-P) of children aged 3-8 Years in China.","authors":"Wenqi Lin, Manlin Zhang, Minmin Liu","doi":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2536871","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2536871","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Nighttime Fears Scale-Parent Version (NFS-P) was developed to assess nighttime fears of children. This study aimed to develop a Chinese version of the NFS-P, examine its psychometric properties and analyze demographic differences. Before the following surveys, we developed a draft of the Chinese version, intending to translate the questions into Chinese language that is culturally appropriate. The scale was completed by the parents of 579 children (ages 3-8, <i>M</i><sub>age</sub> = 5.58 years, <i>SD</i> = 1.46; 50.8% boys). The psychometric properties of the instrument were examined. The Preschool Anxiety Scale, Children's Sense of Security Scale, and Children's Sleep Quality Scale were used as the concurrent validity. The scale consists of 21 items and demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's <i>α</i> = 0.922). Confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-factor structure of the NFS-P. Research has found that children's nighttime fears were significantly positively correlated with anxiety, and significantly negatively correlated with sense of security and sleep quality. Supplementary analysis with a number of demographic variables provided rich information about nighttime fear. These findings support the use of the Chinese NFS-P as a valuable tool for evaluating nighttime fears in children aged 3-8 years in China, and highlight the importance of considering factors such as age, gender, number of children, and urban-rural background when assessing and intervening in children's nighttime fears in clinical and educational settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":54535,"journal":{"name":"Psychology Health & Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"961-979"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144683609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elad Mijalevich-Soker, Meital Tavor, Orit Taubman-Ben-Ari, Eran Horowitz
{"title":"Post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth among fertility physicians.","authors":"Elad Mijalevich-Soker, Meital Tavor, Orit Taubman-Ben-Ari, Eran Horowitz","doi":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2531468","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2531468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Physicians frequently encounter stressors and traumatic events in their daily work, which can result in adverse outcomes such as post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), but also in the experience of positive changes, i.e. post-traumatic growth (PTG). Most research on PTSS and PTG has primarily focused on physicians from specific medical fields (e.g. emergency medicine), whereas others, such as fertility specialists, received less attention. Their unique role involves daily stress due to caring for individuals and couples seeking to conceive, following repeated failure. This study aims to enhance our understanding of fertility specialists' experiences by examining the contribution of event centrality, rumination and perceived control, considered as cognitive mechanisms, to PTSS and PTG. To that end, 108 fertility specialists aged 33 to 83 (<i>M</i> = 52.90) and completed self-report questionnaires. Confirming our hypotheses, being women, greater event centrality, more intrusive rumination and lower sense of control were significantly associated with higher PTSS. Greater event centrality and more deliberate rumination were significantly related to higher PTG. Both positive and negative outcomes are potential responses to stress and may be determined by similar cognitive aspects. The findings may assist in developing effective interventions and policies to manage and mitigate work-related stress among fertility physicians.</p>","PeriodicalId":54535,"journal":{"name":"Psychology Health & Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"948-960"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144638720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carmen Rodríguez-Domínguez, Sara Domínguez-Salas, Alberto Armijo-Sánchez, Elena Mantrana-Bermejo, Irene Gómez-Gómez, Mariana Moura-Ramos
{"title":"Male support, depression, and anxiety in couples undergoing assisted reproductive technologies: a dyadic approach.","authors":"Carmen Rodríguez-Domínguez, Sara Domínguez-Salas, Alberto Armijo-Sánchez, Elena Mantrana-Bermejo, Irene Gómez-Gómez, Mariana Moura-Ramos","doi":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2491039","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13548506.2025.2491039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Engagement in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) represents a significant source of stress for infertile couples, particularly for females/women undergoing these techniques, which may exacerbate their mental health and the quality of the marital relationship. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between male partner support in matters related to ART or the pursuit of pregnancy, concerns regarding the impact of infertility on the relationship, and symptoms of anxiety and depression in couples undergoing ART. Path analyses were conducted using the AMOS structural modeling software, applying an Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model analysis. This approach estimates both the effect of an individual's variable on their own outcome (actor effect) and the effect of the same variable from the perspective of their partner (partner effect) on two outcome variables: symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, analyses of indirect effects between variables were included. The final study sample comprised 96 individuals (48 dyads) from the assisted human reproduction unit of a Spanish hospital. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), two ad hoc items assessing perceived support from the male partner to the female partner, and the subscale Concern about the relationship (Fertility Problem Inventory) were used. The results revealed the presence of actor, partner, and indirect effects in males/men, with both self-reported male support and concerns about the relationship predicting symptoms of anxiety and depression. In females/women, only an actor effect was observed: a lower perceived level of male support was associated with greater concern about the marital relationship. These findings highlight the need for interventions that address both male support (self-reported and partner-perceived) and relationship concerns within psychological care programs for individuals undergoing ART.</p>","PeriodicalId":54535,"journal":{"name":"Psychology Health & Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"831-843"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144065286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The positive sleep prescription: subjective happiness and nightly sleep assessment.","authors":"Todd McElroy, Michael McCormick","doi":"10.1080/13548506.2026.2653104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2026.2653104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the association between trait-level subjective happiness and objective sleep in college students. Seventy-eight participants completed the Subjective Happiness Scale and wore actigraph devices for seven days to monitor naturalistic sleep patterns. Bivariate correlations indicated that higher subjective happiness was linked to shorter average time in bed (<i>r</i> = -.346, <i>p</i> = .002), shorter total sleep time (<i>r</i> = -.246, <i>p</i> = .030), and fewer awakenings (<i>r</i> = -.256, <i>p</i> = .024). No significant associations emerged for sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, or wake after sleep onset. Findings suggest that greater happiness in young adults may promote consolidated but briefer sleep, reflecting adaptive efficiency rather than deficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":54535,"journal":{"name":"Psychology Health & Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147596165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kun Yu, Chenxiao Li, Hani Salwah Yaakup, Sharifah Sofiah Syed Zainudin, Siti Aishah Mohammad Razi, Shougui Pang
{"title":"The role of medical documentaries in enhancing empathy and care quality among healthcare professionals.","authors":"Kun Yu, Chenxiao Li, Hani Salwah Yaakup, Sharifah Sofiah Syed Zainudin, Siti Aishah Mohammad Razi, Shougui Pang","doi":"10.1080/13548506.2026.2645949","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2026.2645949","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Medical documentaries are a unique and remarkable means to witness the real-life or patient healthcare experiences together with the progress and morality of medicine, thus creating a better understanding of the patient-care services. The study aims to assess the extent to which medical documentaries affect the healthcare professionals' empathy and consequently their quality of patient care, enhancing their professional outcomes. This study used a mixed method that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative research designs. In terms of sample size, purposive sampling and stratified sampling were used. The sample taken for the purpose of collecting quantitative data consisted of 429 employees working in the healthcare sector, who were asked to complete a survey, and their responses were subjected to analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Qualitative data were collected from interviews with 25 employees and analyzed with NVivo software. The results indicated that medical documentaries had a positive effect on the healthcare professional's ability to develop empathy and other professional outcomes in the care of patients. Also, the study results highlighted that regular watching of medical documentaries among healthcare professionals fosters a patient-centered approach. The uniqueness of this research lies in the behavioral responses of healthcare workers to the medical films and not through public viewing of health-related issues. This study provides insight into healthcare professional training and developments, demonstrating that medical documentaries helped to promote the development of empathy, enhance the quality of care provided to patients, and promote effective healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":54535,"journal":{"name":"Psychology Health & Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147596184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}