Is it me or you? First-time mothers' attributions for postpartum sexual concerns are associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction in the transition to parenthood

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2926136
AutoresSarah A Vannier (0000-0001-5856-4843, Dalhousie University, autor correspondente), Kaitlyn E Adare (Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre), Natalie O Rosen (0000-0002-4525-0770, Dalhousie University)
Ano2018
Volume35
Fascículo4
Páginas577-599
Data de publicação2018-05-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407517743086
OpenAlexW2791554882
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas14
Referências citadas68

Most first-time mothers experience a decline in both their sexual and relationship satisfaction from prepregnancy, which has negative consequences for the couple and their family. Prior studies have begun to identify risk and protective factors (e.g., empathy) for postpartum sexual and relationship satisfaction. Causal attributions for postpartum sexual concerns may be important because a specific cause can be difficult to pinpoint given the wide range of postpartum sexual problems among first-time parents. In the current study, 120 first-time mothers (3-12 months postpartum) completed validated measures assessing attributions for postpartum sexual concerns, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction. Attributions were measured on four dimensions: internal/external (i.e., is the sexual concern due to the self or the situation), stable/unstable (i.e., will the cause of the concern occur again in the future), global/specific (i.e., will the cause of the concern affect other situations), and partner responsibility (i.e., is the partner the cause). When new mothers reported more stable and partner attributions for postpartum sexual concerns, they were less sexually satisfied, and when they attributed greater responsibility for sexual concerns to their partners, they were less satisfied with their overall relationship. These associations remained significant after controlling for potential challenges that may also impact sexual and relationship satisfaction during this period (i.e., breastfeeding, sexual frequency, depressive symptoms, fatigue, sexual functioning). As postpartum sexual concerns are common, attributions for these changes may be a valuable target for interventions aimed at strengthening the intimate relationships of women making the transition to parenthood

Affect (linguistics · Attribution · Breastfeeding · Developmental psychology · Empathy · Postpartum period · Pregnancy · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Clinical Psychology · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology