PTSD after childbirth and mother-infant bonding on French / Tunisian samples

Abstract

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) after childbirth is among disorders that affect women in the perinatal period. International literature highlight that 2 to 6% of women are at risk to develop PTDS after childbirth (Denis & al., 2008; Alcorn & al., 2010. An Iranian study reports a prevalence of PTSD in 20% of women 6 to 8 weeks after childbirth (Modarres & al., 2012). According to the DSM V, PTSD involves four distinct diagnostic clusters: Intrusion symptoms; Avoidance; Negative cognition and mood; and Alterations in arousal and reactivity. The aim of this study is is to evaluate the prevalence of PTSD in French/Tunisian populations and to investigate the influence of PTSD symptoms on post-partum mother infant bonding. Method: Sample of n= 342 French women and n= 211 Tunisian women were recruited during the last trimester of pregnancy and at 2 months postpartum. They have completed measures of PTSD (CPTES, Hannachi & Spitz, 2016) and Bonding (PBQ, Brockington, 2001). Findings: Results show that 3, 2 % of French and 21, 4% of Tunisian women present post-traumatic stress disorder at two months after their childbirth. About the impact of the disorder on the mother-infant bonding, we find that PTSD is significantly correlated with a poor post-partum bonding in French women and Tunisian women (β= .34; β= .62, p<0, 01 respectively). Discussion: Results suggest that PTSD after childbirth is associated with unfavourable outcomes for mother-infant bonding. Psychological support for women during the perinatal period is needed to prevent post-partum disorders and its consequences.