2013 Theses Doctoral

In the Moment: Prenatal Mindful Awareness and Its Relationship to Depression, Anxiety, and Birth Experience

Zoeterman, Sara Emily

The transition into motherhood has long been conceptualized as a time of psychological upheaval. However, when examining rates of postpartum psychopathology, it appears that more women adapt well to this change than do not. In keeping with research in the fields of positive psychology and resilience, it appears that naturally occurring protective factors may aid a woman through this transition. This dissertation proposes the idea that qualities of mindfulness, while typically cultivated through training, may be naturally protective against psychopathology during times of adjustment and development. Specifically, this paper examines the transition from pregnancy into the postpartum period. I examine pregnant women's levels of mindful, momentary awareness and analyze how these levels predict the self-reported emotional experience of giving birth, as well as postpartum levels of anxiety and depression. Future directions and limitations are discussed.