Prenatal diagnostic of a foetal anomaly: coping strategies and postnatal adjustment to parenthood

Abstract

Background: The diagnostic of a foetal anomaly represents an extremely demanding situation for expectant parents and it requires an increased effort to adapt to parenthood. This study aimed to understand how different coping strategies used by expectant parents after receiving the prenatal diagnostic of a foetal anomaly impacted the postnatal construction of the parental role. Methods: This study is quantitative and longitudinal, from pregnancy to two months after childbirth. The sample was composed of eight couples. All participants completed the French version of questionnaires evaluating coping strategies, parental attachment, parenting alliance, marital adjustment and depression/anxiety symptomatology. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 20.0. Results: Mothers and fathers used different coping strategies to adjust to diagnosis disclosure with mothers using more emotion focused strategies and fathers using more problem focused strategies. The use of active coping by expectant mothers influenced postnatal attachment to the baby both for mothers (r=.69*) and fathers (r=.91**) and fathers’ parenting alliance (r=.82*). The use of humour by mothers was associated to a better marital adjustment after childbirth both for mothers and fathers (r=.80* and r=.74*, respectively). The use of acceptation by fathers was associated to lower levels of maternal postnatal depression (r=-.71*). Discussion: The utilisation specific coping strategies by one of the parents had an important impact on psychological adjustment of the other parent. Hence coping strategies may be considered either as a protective or as a risk factor for postnatal adjustment of parents who received the diagnostic of a foetal anomaly during pregnancy.