Predictors and comorbidity patterns of maternal birth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: A Latent Class Analysis

Andreas Staudt, Sophie Baumann, Danny Horesh, Malin Eberhard-Gran, Antje Horsch, Susan Garthus-Niegel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Birth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) place a significant burden on mothers and their families. The aim was to (1) identify differential profiles of maternal birth-related PTSS; (2) determine the predictive value of established risk factors; (3) examine comorbidity patterns related to depression and anxiety symptoms. As part of the Norwegian Ahus Birth Cohort, 2,088 (expectant) mothers completed self-report questionnaires from 17 weeks of gestation to 2 years postpartum. The Impact of Event Scale was used to assess PTSS 8 weeks after birth. Latent class analysis revealed four latent classes: a High birth-related PTSS class (4%), a Moderate birth-related PTSS class (16%) particularly characterized by endorsement of intrusion symptoms, a Mild birth-related PTSS class (47%), as well as a No birth-related PTSS class (33%). We found similar (younger age, worse subjective birth experience, higher fear of childbirth) and differential predictors (prior posttraumatic stress disorder, lower education, birth complications). Women classified with High, Moderate, or Mild birth-related PTSS showed higher depression and anxiety symptoms compared to women with No birth-related PTSS. A considerable number of mothers experienced birth-related PTSS, most on a subclinical level, but these women still showed signs of mental distress 2 years postpartum, calling for more universal prevention approaches.

Original languageEnglish
Article number115038
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume320
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The study was funded by the Norwegian Research Council (grant number 191098 to Malin Eberhard-Gran) who had no influence on design, analysis, and data interpretation.

Funding Information:
We thank all participants for their participation, all research and study assistants for data collection and management. Further, this paper contributes to the EU COST Action 18211 (DEVoTION - Perinatal Mental Health and Birth-Related Trauma: maximizing best practice and optimal outcomes) supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). DH, AH, and SGN are management committee members of COST Action CA18211.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022

Keywords

  • Birth
  • Childbirth experience
  • LCA
  • Mother
  • PTSD

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