Examining the relationships among childbirth satisfaction, maternal functioning, and psychological flexibility in postpartum mothers
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
17-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 2:30 PM
Description
Introduction: Childbirth dissatisfaction, defined as a woman’s negative evaluation of the childbirth experience, is common and can have significant consequences for women and their infants, particularly in terms of maternal functioning. Given that childbirth satisfaction is related to maternal functioning in the postpartum period, a better understanding of modifiable factors that could be targeted to bolster maternal functioning is warranted. Psychological flexibility, a construct from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, has gained increasing empirical support as a modifiable factor for psychological distress and could serve as a potential construct to consider to further examine the relationship between childbirth satisfaction and maternal functioning.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among childbirth satisfaction, maternal functioning, and psychological flexibility in primiparous postpartum mothers.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey design, 116 primiparous postpartum mothers completed an online survey that included self-report measures of childbirth satisfaction, maternal functioning, and psychological inflexibility.
Results: Findings revealed that childbirth satisfaction and maternal functioning were negatively correlated with psychological inflexibility, and childbirth satisfaction and maternal functioning were positively correlated. Moreover, childbirth satisfaction and psychological flexibility predicted maternal functioning.
Conclusion: Findings from this study can be used to inform screening, assessment, and development of programs and interventions that may benefit mothers, infants, and families.
Embargo Period
5-25-2026
Examining the relationships among childbirth satisfaction, maternal functioning, and psychological flexibility in postpartum mothers
Philadelphia, PA
Introduction: Childbirth dissatisfaction, defined as a woman’s negative evaluation of the childbirth experience, is common and can have significant consequences for women and their infants, particularly in terms of maternal functioning. Given that childbirth satisfaction is related to maternal functioning in the postpartum period, a better understanding of modifiable factors that could be targeted to bolster maternal functioning is warranted. Psychological flexibility, a construct from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, has gained increasing empirical support as a modifiable factor for psychological distress and could serve as a potential construct to consider to further examine the relationship between childbirth satisfaction and maternal functioning.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among childbirth satisfaction, maternal functioning, and psychological flexibility in primiparous postpartum mothers.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey design, 116 primiparous postpartum mothers completed an online survey that included self-report measures of childbirth satisfaction, maternal functioning, and psychological inflexibility.
Results: Findings revealed that childbirth satisfaction and maternal functioning were negatively correlated with psychological inflexibility, and childbirth satisfaction and maternal functioning were positively correlated. Moreover, childbirth satisfaction and psychological flexibility predicted maternal functioning.
Conclusion: Findings from this study can be used to inform screening, assessment, and development of programs and interventions that may benefit mothers, infants, and families.