Psychological adjustment of a couple after the disclosure of a diagnosis of foetal anomaly

Abstract

Background: The disclosure of diagnosis of foetal anomaly may have a long term impact on parents’ psychological adjustment and well-being. This study aimed to analyse the psychological profile of a couple after receiving the diagnosis of a foetal anomaly. Methods: This study was longitudinal, from pregnancy to one year after childbirth. Both partners completed questionnaires evaluating parental attachment, parenting alliance, marital adjustment, depression and anxiety symptomatology, and physical and psychological quality of life. Four semi-structured interviews were performed, after diagnostic disclosure and after childbirth. Quantitative data was analysed with SPSS 20.0 and qualitative data was analysed using discourse analysis. Results: Both members of the couple considered diagnostic disclosure as the most difficult moment of the perinatal period. During pregnancy, both parents showed higher levels of anxiety and lower quality of life. Having received important information and meeting health professionals during pregnancy helped them to adjust during postpartum. For this couple, marital dynamics functioned as a protective factor: both partners showed high marital adjustment and the levels were comparable during more stressful moments. Maternal attachment increased from pregnancy to childbirth and after a chirurgical intervention to the baby (6 months after childbirth). Father’s profile suggests that he was more attached to the baby after childbirth. Discussion: Psychological and medical interventions after the prenatal diagnostic of a foetal anomaly must take in consideration the fact that parents’ psychological adjustment to the diagnostic is made in a progressive way and that it is influenced by both personal and medical dimensions.