Well-being among PhD candidates. / Dobrostan psychofizyczny wsród doktorantów.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the pilot study was to demonstrate that PhD students declare lower psychological well-being, and more often complain about psychosomatic symptomsand illnesses compared to individuals who did not continue education after university. METHODS: A total of 270 participants were involved in the study: 135 PhD students (mean age = 30.03 years) and 135 control individuals (mean age = 30.13 years) who did not continue education beyond their master's degree. The following methods were used: a sociodemographic survey taking into account a list of illnesses and psychosomatic symptoms, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the SPP-25. RESULTS: The results were calculated using ANOVA. The results show a significantly higher severity of the following: somatic symptoms (F = 12.913; p < 0.001), anxiety and insomnia (F =19.769;p < 0.001), behavioral disorders (F =8.782;p = 0.003), symptoms of depression (F = 8.560; p = 0.004) among PhD students when compared with individuals who chose not to continue education. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that PhD students demonstrate a significantly lower level of general mental well-being, a higher level of behavioral disorders, somatic symptoms, anxiety and sleep problems, as well as depressive symptoms - compared to individuals who did not continue education after achieving a master's degree.

The program of psychological and breastfeeding support "Maternity step by step": an example of effective solution for the prevention, diagnostics and treatment of prenatal and postpartum depression. / Program opieki psychologiczno-laktacyjnej "Macierzynstwo krok po kroku" jako przyklad profilaktyki, diagnostyki i leczenia depresji w okresie okoloporodowym.

OBJECTIVES: Postpartum depression affects about 13-20% of women. Depression during pregnancy is observed in 19% of pregnant women. In Poland we lack asupport system for this group of patients. This article presents the elements of the pilot program of psychological interventions and breastfeeding support "Motherhood: step by step", financed by the municipality of Gdansk. The aim of the program was to provide inhabitants of Gdansk with professional breastfeeding support and psychological help during pregnancy and in the first year of infant's life. METHODS: The study involved three groups of women: 36 mothers participating in psychological consultations and short-term therapy, 123 women from breastfeeding support group and 104 women in the control group. The evaluation was based on questionnaires prepared by the researchers, the General Health Questionnaire-28 and the Parenting Stress Index -3rd version. RESULTS: The evaluation showed a significant decrease in symptoms of mental disorders in both groups of treated women: women from psychological intervention and breastfeeding intervention group. In women from psychological intervention group a significant decrease in parental stress was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Conducted analyses showed that the implemented program is characterized by high effectiveness and may be recommended for the continuation in the subsequent years. It may be considered as asolution for changes in the new standards for perinatal care in Poland.

Attachment Styles, Various Maternal Representations and A Bond to a Baby.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between: (a) new mothers' styles of attachment to their own mothers with their representation of self as a mother as well as with their representation of one's mother as a mother, (b) new mothers' representation of self as a mother with their representation of one's own mother as a mother, and (c) their bonds with their children and their styles of attachment to their own mothers. (2) Methods: A total of 86 mothers were interviewed approximately six months postpartum. The Adjective Checklist, a modified version of the Experiences in Close Relationships, and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire were used in the study. (3) Results: Analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between the new mothers' styles of attachment to their own mothers and both their representation of self as a mother and their representation of one's mother as a mother. The relationship between representation of self as a mother and representation of one's mother as a mother was also statistically significant. No statistically significant relationship was observed between the style of attachment to one's mother and the bond with one's child six months postpartum. (4) Conclusions: A deeper understanding of the relationship between these variables may improve the help system directed at young mothers.

The Dynamics of Becoming a Mother during Pregnancy and After Childbirth.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between one's maternal attachment style and one's self-image as a mother, image of one's mother as a mother, and bond with the child over a period of several months. METHODS: A total of 86 women took part in the study The Adjective Check List (ACL), Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS), and a modified version of the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) were used. Two measurements were used: during pregnancy and about six months after the birth of the child. RESULTS: In terms of their self-image as mothers, the women had higher results the first time they took the questionnaire, regardless of their attachment style. An interaction effect was found between attachment style and the 'need for changes' scale. The image of one's mother as a mother depended on the level of avoidance in attachment, regardless of the measurement. An interaction effect was found between attachment style and the scale of 'personal adaptation'. There was a correlation between the bond with the child during pregnancy, the bond following birth, and the style of maternal attachment; the main predictor of the bond with the child after birth is the bond with the child during the pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Those who provide care for pregnant women and new mothers should be aware of the complex psychological processes in the transition to motherhood, have knowledge about perinatal mental health, and when necessary, refer women to specialists such as support groups for new mothers, trained midwives, psychologists, psychotherapists, or psychiatrists.