title: Perceptions of general and parenting-specific posttraumatic change among postpartum mothers with histories of childhood maltreatment.
abstract: Although adaptive meanings of childhood maltreatment (CM) are critical to posttraumatic adaptation, little is known about perceptions of posttraumatic change (PTC) during the vulnerable postpartum period. PTC may be positive or negative as well as global or situational. This study examined general and parenting-specific PTC among 100 postpartum women with CM histories (Mage=29.5 years). All reported general and 83% reported parenting PTC. General PTC were more likely to include negative and positive changes; parenting PTC were more likely to be exclusively positive. Indicators of more severe CM (parent perpetrator, more CM experiences) were related to parenting but not general PTC. Concurrent demographic risk moderated associations between number of CM experiences and positive parenting PTC such that among mothers with more CM experiences, demographic risk was associated with stronger positive parenting PTC. Results highlight the significance of valence and specificity of PTC for understanding meanings made of CM experiences.
authors.affiliation: Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute & Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, United States.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.affiliation: Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute & Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, United States.
authors.forename: Valerie A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute & Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, United States.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute & Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, United States.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute & Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, United States.
authors.forename: Merdijana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kovacevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, United States.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Rosenblum
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, United States.
authors.forename: Rena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Menke
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, United States. Electronic address: muzik@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muzik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Child maltreatment; Meaning making; Mothers; Postpartum; Posttraumatic change; Posttraumatic growth