Date of Submission

2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

Alexa Bonacquisti, PhD, PMH-C

Second Advisor

Barbara Golden, PsyD, ABPP

Third Advisor

Jenna DiLossi, PsyD, ABPP

Abstract

The perinatal period is a critical time of psychological, physiological, and social transition that can increase vulnerability to mental health challenges, particularly during the first year postpartum. This study examined the relationships among maternal stress, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating behaviors in postpartum women, with additional focus on differences by postpartum stage (0 to 6 months vs. 6 to 12 months) and infertility history. Participants (N = 248) were cisgender women who had given birth within the past 12 months and completed validated self-report measures of maternal stress, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating behaviors. A multiple regression analysis revealed that maternal stress significantly predicted higher disordered eating behaviors, while depressive symptoms were negatively associated with disordered eating. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated that women in the 6 to 12 months postpartum group reported significantly higher disordered eating symptoms than those in the 0 to 6 months group. However, no significant group differences were found for maternal stress or depressive symptoms. Contrary to expectations, no significant differences were observed between participants with and without a history of infertility on any outcome variables. Findings suggest that maternal stress is an important predictor of disordered eating in the postpartum period, and that disordered eating behaviors may increase later in the first year. Results underscore the need for continued screening and psychological support throughout the postpartum period, as well as future longitudinal research exploring the trajectory of these concerns and potential protective factors.

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