The transition to motherhood during COVID-19: The mediating role of postpartum depression in the association between self-compassion and mindful parenting among Portuguese postpartum women

ABSTRACT

Background The COVID-19 pandemic can have a significant negative impact on postpartum women's mental health and, consequently, on their parenting. Self-compassion can help mothers navigate the transition to motherhood more adaptively during this pandemic. Aims and Objectives This study aims to 1) compare depressed and non-depressed mothers and those who experienced and did not experience a negative emotional impact of COVID-19 on mindful parenting;2) explore whether self-compassion is associated with mindful parenting and whether this association can be mediated by lower levels of postpartum depression (PPD);and 3) explore the moderating role of the perceived emotional impact of COVID-19 on these associations. Methods During December 2020, 997 Portuguese mothers of infants with an average age of 2.5 months (SD = 1.28, range0-6) completed an online survey that included a sociodemographic and obstetric form, questions about the perceived negative emotional impact of the pandemic, the Self-Compassion Scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale. Results Women scoring above the EPDS cut-off (38.5%) presented lower levels of self-compassion and of all mindful parenting dimensions. In addition, mothers who reported having felt that the pandemic had a negative emotional impact during pregnancy (76.6%) and postpartum (79.5%) presented lower levels of self-regulation and non-judgemental acceptance of parental functioning. A moderated mediation analysis showed that higher levels of self-compassion were associated with higher levels of mindful parenting and that this association was mediated by lower levels of PPD, particularly among mothers who experienced a negative emotional impact of the pandemic. Interpretation/Discussion COVID-19 has a negative impact on postpartum women's mental health and parenting. Self-compassion seems to help mothers feel less depressed and be more mindful in parenting. Conclusions Postpartum women should be offered the possibility of receiving mental health support, especially during the pandemic. Compassion-based interventions may be particularly important in reducing PPD and promoting mindful parenting.