title: Maternal expectations and postpartum emotional adjustment in first-time mothers: results of a questionnaire survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several predictors of postpartum mood have been identified in the literature, but the role of maternal expectations in postpartum mental health remains unclear. The aim of this study was to identify whether maternal expectations during the postpartum hospital stay predict adjustment and depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included 233 first-time mothers recruited from the postpartum unit of a Midwestern hospital. Participants completed measures of maternal expectations and depressive symptoms (EPDS) at Time 1 (2 d postpartum) and completed EPDS and an Emotional Adjustment Scale (BaM-13) at Time 2 (6 weeks postpartum).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A conditional relationship between the expectation that an infant's behavior will reflect maternal skill and Time 2 outcomes (BaM-13 and EPDS) was found, such that endorsing this belief predicted increased depression and poorer adjustment in those with higher (but not lower) Time 1 EPDS scores. Time 2 BaM-13 scores were also negatively predicted by expectations of self-sacrifice and positively predicted by expectations that parenthood would be naturally fulfilling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expectations that new mothers hold about parenting soon after delivery are predictive of emotional adjustment in the early postpartum period, suggesting a role for discussion of expectations in future preventive strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Denison University , Granville, OH , USA.
authors.forename: Erin J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Henshaw
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: Jenni Beth
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Teeters
authors.forename: Emily E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Siskind
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Depression; mental health; perinatal mental health; post-natal depression; psychological wellbeing