1. Objectifs

Intentions :
The authors examined «the integrative processes of attachment style and interpersonal trauma in the development and longer-term maintenance of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress symptomatology among a large community sample of women.» (p. 2)

Questions/Hypothèses :
Authors «expected that higher secure attachment ratings would predict experiencing fewer symptoms of PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] at 5 weeks postpartum and a larger decrease in symptom severity over time, among women with and without a history of interpersonal trauma. Whereas insecure attachment may impede coping and regulation of distress, [they also] expected that insecure attachment ratings would predict higher initial levels of PTSD symptoms at 5 weeks postpartum and a smaller reduction in symptom severity over time, particularly among women with a history of interpersonal trauma, as they are more vulnerable to experiencing post-traumatic stress.» (p. 3)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
L’échantillon est composé de 298 femmes recrutées dans une unité de soins intensifs néonatals d’un hôpital universitaire de Montréal, moins d’une semaine après leur accouchement.

Instruments :
Questionnaires

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

Results show that «maternal attachment style moderates the impact of a history of interpersonal trauma on the development and maintenance of childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptomatology 6 months into the postpartum period. Latent growth curve modeling revealed a differential pattern of associations between attachment style ratings with initial PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] symptoms and change over time, such that secure attachment conferred resiliency and fearful attachment conferred vulnerability among women without a history of interpersonal trauma. Contrary to our expectations, preoccupied, and dismissing attachment both conferred resiliency among women with a history of interpersonal trauma. Regardless of attachment style, having a history of interpersonal trauma may increase women’s vulnerability to experiencing childbirth as traumatic, as indicated by the average level of PTSD symptoms (i.e., intercept) above the clinical cut-off at 5 weeks postpartum observed in this study.» (p. 5) Authors also found that «[a]mong women without a history of interpersonal trauma, more secure attachment was associated with fewer PTSD symptoms following childbirth and a larger decrease over time [and that among] women with a history of interpersonal trauma, secure attachment was not observed to be protective, rather more preoccupied and dismissing attachment were.» (p. 6)