Changes in Defense Mechanisms in Mothers From Pregnancy to 2 Years Postpregnancy.
Journal
The Journal of nervous and mental disease
ISSN: 1539-736X
Titre abrégé: J Nerv Ment Dis
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0375402
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 09 2022
01 09 2022
Historique:
pubmed:
29
3
2022
medline:
1
9
2022
entrez:
28
3
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The objective of this study was to assess changes in maternal defensive functioning from the third trimester of pregnancy to 2 years postpregnancy. A community sample of at-risk mothers ( N = 84; non-White [61%], unmarried [67%], high school or less education [72%], and income less than $20,000 [50%]) were recruited for this longitudinal study. Mothers responded to a semistructured interview during pregnancy and at 2 years postpregnancy about the parent-infant relationship; interview transcripts were coded using the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale (DMRS). Results indicated a significant increase in both total defense mechanisms used and the relative percentage of immature defense mechanisms used over time. A significant decrease in the relative percentage of healthy/adaptive defenses was noted. When all seven levels of defenses of the DMRS were assessed, it was an increase in minor image-distorting defenses, mechanisms that supported vulnerable self-esteem, that accounted for most of the change in immature defenses. Stability coefficients of defense mechanisms were reported, with large effect sizes, for overall defensive functioning, and mature and immature defenses over a 2-year period. These findings lend support to the importance of assessing defense mechanisms to better understand stressful life transitions in mothers.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35344978
doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000001519
pii: 00005053-202209000-00008
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
686-691Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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