The role of optimism in health-promoting behaviors in new primiparous mothers.
BACKGROUND
Perceived stress has been associated with fewer health-promoting behaviors in new primiparous mothers, but less is known about the mechanisms responsible for such effects.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that the relationship between perceived stress and health-promoting behaviors is mediated partially by a primiparous mother's sense of optimism. The transactional model of stress and coping and the model of behavioral self-regulation were used as the theoretical framework for the study.


METHODS
An ex post facto cross-sectional design was used for this study. Participants consisted of 174 primiparous mothers who had given birth within the previous 12 months. Participants completed a self-reported online questionnaire consisting of the Perceived Stress Scale, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, and the revised Life Orientation Test.


RESULTS
Results indicated that perceived stress predicted less health-promoting behaviors in new primiparous mothers (p < .001). Importantly, this relationship was mediated partially by the optimism displayed by the mother (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicated that optimism partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and health-promoting behaviors in new primiparous mothers. The implications for psychological practice are discussed.
Gill
Robyn M
RM
School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Victoria, Australia. rggil2@student.monash.edu
Loh
Jennifer M I
JM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012938:Social Perception; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology