Stability and continuity of women's core beliefs and psychopathological symptoms from pregnancy to one year postpartum

Stability and continuity of women's core beliefs and psychopathological symptoms from pregnancy to one year postpartum

Blissett, J. M., & Farrow, C. V. (2007). Stability and continuity of women's core beliefs and psychopathological symptoms from pregnancy to one year postpartum. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 31(5), 589-602. doi:10.1007/s10608-006-9088-8

Unhealthy core beliefs are theorized to be stable constructs throughout the life-span, but no research to date, outside of the context of clinical intervention, has addressed this claim over a period of greater than 6 weeks. This study explores the stability and continuity of core beliefs and psychopathological symptoms in a group of women over a major life event and for 1 year subsequently. Eighty-seven women completed measures assessing their core beliefs and psychopathological symptoms during pregnancy and at 6 and 12 months after giving birth. General maternal psychopathological symptoms significantly decreased across the group between pregnancy and 6 months postpartum, and between pregnancy and 1 year, but showed evidence of stability in the ranks of individuals across time. The majority of core beliefs remained both stable and continuous throughout this period of major transition. These findings generally support the theoretical contention that core beliefs are relatively stable and continuous self-constructs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)

beliefs stability; beliefs continuity; women's core beliefs; psychopathological symptoms; pregnancy; postpartum; life event; Emotional Stability; Postpartum Depression; Psychiatric Symptoms; Psychopathology; Adult Attitudes; Human Females; Life Experiences

UK

General population - community

Early maladaptive schemas

Longitudinal