Breastfeeding and the quality of the sibling relationship.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the type of breastfeeding practiced and the quality of the sibling relationship. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: Participants were recruited between July and December 2019 through parenting associations and parenting support groups. They comprised a total of 149 mothers with two children between 2 and 7 years of age, who had practiced the same type of feeding with both children. Sibling relationship quality was assessed using the conflict/rivalry and warmth dimensions of the Parents' Expectations and Perceptions of Sibling Relationships with their Children (PEPC-SRQ) questionnaire. Analyses of covariance were used to identify any differences in these two dimensions of the PEPC-SRQ between the study groups (formula feeding, breastfeeding, non-prolonged breastfeeding, prolonged breastfeeding and tandem breastfeeding). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between any of the groups regarding the conflict/rivalry dimension; in contrast, significant differences were found in the warmth dimension between the breastfeeding and formula feeding groups. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding, regardless of its duration and simultaneity, was associated with higher scores in the dimension of warmth of the sibling relationship. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This information should be considered by healthcare professionals when providing advice on breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding and maternal attachment: The moderating roles of maternal stress and child behavior.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of breastfeeding on maternal attachment, and explored the moderating role of maternal stress and child behavior in this relationship, in a sample of Spanish mothers with children aged between 2 and 7 years. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 432 mothers participated in a cross-sectional online survey. A three-way interaction model was used to test the moderating role of maternal stress and child behavioral problems in the relationship between breastfeeding and maternal attachment. RESULTS: The full model accounted for 19% of the variance of maternal attachment. Breastfeeding was significantly associated with mother-rated attachment, and the moderated moderation analysis confirmed the moderating effects of maternal stress and child behavior on the relationship between breastfeeding and maternal attachment. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the existing literature that supports the contribution that breastfeeding makes in enhancing maternal attachment, and may help to clarify the role of breastfeeding in shaping maternal attachment. Our findings suggest that breastfeeding is a factor in enhancing maternal attachment, and also identify maternal stress and child behavior as moderators of this relationship. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Understanding the mechanisms by which breastfeeding affects maternal attachment will help generate recommendations to improve breastfeeding and maternal attachment.

Riesgo de depresión materna perinatal tras una pérdida gestacional: prevalencia y factores asociados. Un estudio exploratorio / Risk of perinatal maternal depression after pregnancy loss: prevalence and associated factors. An exploratory study

Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia del riesgo de depresión materna en el periodo perinatal, y los factores asociados a la misma, en las mujeres atendidas en Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari de Sabadell (Barcelona) que han tenido una pérdida gestacional de más de 13 semanas de gestación. Material y método: Se diseñó un estudio observacional de tipo analítico. Las variables estudiadas fueron: el riesgo de depresión materna perinatal, el tiempo transcurrido entre el diagnóstico y la expulsión, las pérdidas gestacionales previas, la viabilidad fetal, ver y sostener al bebé, la obtención de huellas y fotografías de recuerdo, y percibir contradicciones profesionales. El riesgo de depresión posparto fue evaluado mediante la Escala de Edimburgo. Se realizó un análisis de regresión múltiple por pasos para evaluar el efecto de las variables de estudio sobre la depresión posparto al alta. Resultados: Participaron 29 mujeres entre julio de 2018 y diciembre de 2020. El 37,9 % (n= 11/29) de las participantes al alta y el 26,7 % (n= 4/15) al mes presentaban puntuaciones superiores a 13 en la Escala de Edimburgo. La ecuación de la regresión fue estadísticamente significativa (F(4,23)= 7,31, p <0,001), llegando a explicar el 48,3 % (R2 ajustada) de la varianza de la depresión posparto al alta. El tiempo transcurrido entre el diagnóstico y la expulsión superior a 24 horas (B= 4,91; IC del 95 %= 0,83-8,99), así como las pérdidas gestacionales previas (B= 5,99; IC del 95 %= 1,92-10,06) se asociaron con una mayor puntuación en la Escala de Edimburgo, mientras que ver al hijo/a (B= –5,84; IC del 95 % = –11,55 a –0,12) se asoció con una disminución de la puntuación. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of the risk of maternal depression in the perinatal period and the factors associated with it, in women treated at Hospital Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari of Sabadell (Barcelona), who have had a gestational loss of more than 13 weeks of gestation. Material and method: An analytical observational study was designed. The variables studied were: the risk of perinatal maternal depression, the time elapsed between diagnosis and expulsion, previous pregnancy losses, fetal viability, seeing and holding the baby, obtaining footprints and souvenir photographs, and perceiving professional contradictions. The risk of postpartum depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Scale. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of the study variables on postpartum depression at discharge. Results: 29 women participated between July 2018 and December 2020. 37.9% (n= 11/29) of the participants at discharge and 26.7% (n= 4/15) at one month had scores higher than 13 on the Edinburgh Scale. The regression equation was statistically significant (F(4,23)= 7.31, p <0.001) explaining 48.3% (R2 Adjusted) of the variance of postpartum depression at discharge. The time elapsed between diagnosis and expulsion greater than 24 hours (B = 4.91; 95% CI = 0.83 – 8.99), as well as previous pregnancy losses (B = 5.99; 95% CI = 1.92 – 10.06) were associated with a higher score on the Edinburgh Scale, while seeing the child (B = -5.84; 95% CI = -11.55 – -0.12 ) was associated with a decrease in score. (AU)

The psychometric properties of the parenting scale for Spanish mothers with children aged between 2 and 7 years.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Parenting Scale in a large sample of Spanish mothers. DESIGN AND METHODS: A two-stage cross-sectional study of the adaptation and cultural validation of the Parenting Scale in a Spanish-speaking environment. In Stage I, the Parenting Scale was translated and back-translated and its semantic, linguistic and contextual equivalence was assessed. In Stage II, the Spanish-language version was validated after its application to 662 Spanish mothers with healthy children aged between 2 and 7 years. Several factor structure models of the Parenting Scale were compared by confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also examined. RESULTS: The model of Irvine et al. (1999) presented the best fit to our data. This model demonstrated adequate reliability (internal consistency and stability). The total score and each factor of the Parenting Scale correlated positively with perceived stress in mothers, difficulties in mother-child bonding and child hyperactivity, and negatively with child prosocial behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the Parenting Scale is a valid and reliable measure that can be used by healthcare professionals and scientists to assess dysfunctional parenting in Spanish mothers of children aged 2 to 7 years. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study will allow the use of the Parenting Scale in epidemiological and cross-cultural studies in a variety of applied contexts. Additionally, health professionals who work with families in Spain will have access to a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of mothers' parenting styles.

The Maternal Attachment Inventory: Development and validation of a short form.

AIMS: To translate and adapt the Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI) into Spanish; to develop a short form of the instrument that can be used during early childhood; and to test its psychometric properties in a large sample of Spanish mothers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of adaptation and cultural validation of instruments. METHODS: Data were collected between February and September 2018. In Stage I, the instrument was culturally adapted using a standardized translation and back-translation method. In Stage II, the factor structure of the Spanish version was tested in a sample of 300 mothers with children aged between 2 and 7 years, and on the basis of the findings a short form of the instrument was developed. Finally, in Stage III, in a second sample of 356 mothers, confirmatory factor analyses of first-, second-order and bi-factor structure were conducted to find the optimal factor structure of the short form of the Spanish MAI. Convergent validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also examined. RESULTS: A bi-factor structure with four sub-scales and 17 items emerged from the factor analyses conducted in Stages II and III. Scores on the short form were negatively correlated with mother-to-infant bonding disorders. The short form presented adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish MAI short form is a valid and reliable measure for assessing maternal attachment in mothers of children aged between 2 and 7 years. IMPACT: We present a short version of the MAI for healthcare professionals, adapted for application in a new age range and validated for use with Spanish mothers.