Prenatal Planning and Breastfeeding: Buffering Postpartum Depression Through Positive Affect : Buffering Postpartum Depression Through Positive Affect

Background/Objectives: In the context of maternal mental health, this cross-sectional study investigates a moderated mediation model to explore how prenatal planning is associated with postpartum depression. Specifically, we examined whether planned pregnancy (X) is associated with fewer postpartum...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Catala, Ana, Peñacoba, Cecilia, Catalá, Patricia
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Málaga
Repositorio:DDFV. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddfv.ufv.es:10641/6746
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10641/6746
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:breastfeeding duration
maternal mental health
positive affect
postpartum depression
prenatal planning
Breastfeeding duration
Postpartum depression
Maternal mental health
Positive affect
Prenatal planning
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Journal Article
Yes
yes
Descripción
Sumario:Background/Objectives: In the context of maternal mental health, this cross-sectional study investigates a moderated mediation model to explore how prenatal planning is associated with postpartum depression. Specifically, we examined whether planned pregnancy (X) is associated with fewer postpartum depression symptoms (Y) through greater positive affect (M), and whether the indirect association is moderated by breastfeeding duration (W). Methods: Data were collected from 117 postpartum mothers via self-report questionnaires that measured the degree of pregnancy planning, positive affect, postpartum depression symptoms, and breastfeeding duration. Bootstrap analyses were performed to assess the conditional indirect effects across two levels of breastfeeding duration. Results: The findings suggest an indirect association between pregnancy planning and postpartum depressive symptoms through positive affect, moderated by breastfeeding duration. This association was statistically significant only among mothers who breastfed for less than six months, indicating that the protective emotional effect of pregnancy planning may be more evident in this group. No significant indirect effects were observed in mothers who breastfed beyond this duration. Conclusions: These exploratory findings suggest that positive affect may be a pathway through which prenatal planning relates to maternal well-being, particularly in the context of breastfeeding practices. Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be drawn. Future longitudinal research is needed to confirm these associations.