Relationship Satisfaction, Attachment, and Perinatal Depression in Women of Color: A Quantitative Investigation

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among relationship satisfaction, perceived attachment injury, and perinatal depression for Women of Color (WOC) who have given birth within the last 12 months. In addition, this study aimed to examine the impact of relationship satisfaction...

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Main Authors: Reihaneh Mahdavishahri, Dumayi Gutierrez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/12/1142
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author Reihaneh Mahdavishahri
Dumayi Gutierrez
author_facet Reihaneh Mahdavishahri
Dumayi Gutierrez
author_sort Reihaneh Mahdavishahri
collection DOAJ
description The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among relationship satisfaction, perceived attachment injury, and perinatal depression for Women of Color (WOC) who have given birth within the last 12 months. In addition, this study aimed to examine the impact of relationship satisfaction and romantic attachment quality on these mothers’ attachments to their newborns. The sample consisted of 120 WOC with perinatal depression. Linear regression and hierarchical multiple regression were used for data analysis. The results indicated that (a) lower relationship satisfaction is predicted with higher severity of perinatal depression, (b) attachment insecurity predicts the severity of perinatal depression, and (c) relationship dissatisfaction, attachment insecurity, and a disrupted attachment bond between mothers and their newborns are predictive of perinatal depression. The results of this study have significant implications for couple and family therapists addressing the needs of pregnant and postpartum WOC. Ultimately, fostering healthy couple relationships during these critical times can play a crucial role in enhancing maternal mental health and overall family wellbeing.
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spelling doaj-art-b412e1e8137f4eaaa5f7b38ccd7e4dbb2025-08-20T02:53:40ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2024-11-011412114210.3390/bs14121142Relationship Satisfaction, Attachment, and Perinatal Depression in Women of Color: A Quantitative InvestigationReihaneh Mahdavishahri0Dumayi Gutierrez1The Professional School of Psychology, Alliant International University, San Diego, CA 92131, USAThe Professional School of Psychology, Alliant International University, San Diego, CA 92131, USAThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among relationship satisfaction, perceived attachment injury, and perinatal depression for Women of Color (WOC) who have given birth within the last 12 months. In addition, this study aimed to examine the impact of relationship satisfaction and romantic attachment quality on these mothers’ attachments to their newborns. The sample consisted of 120 WOC with perinatal depression. Linear regression and hierarchical multiple regression were used for data analysis. The results indicated that (a) lower relationship satisfaction is predicted with higher severity of perinatal depression, (b) attachment insecurity predicts the severity of perinatal depression, and (c) relationship dissatisfaction, attachment insecurity, and a disrupted attachment bond between mothers and their newborns are predictive of perinatal depression. The results of this study have significant implications for couple and family therapists addressing the needs of pregnant and postpartum WOC. Ultimately, fostering healthy couple relationships during these critical times can play a crucial role in enhancing maternal mental health and overall family wellbeing.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/12/1142relationship satisfactionattachmentperinatal depressionwomen of colorcouple therapy
spellingShingle Reihaneh Mahdavishahri
Dumayi Gutierrez
Relationship Satisfaction, Attachment, and Perinatal Depression in Women of Color: A Quantitative Investigation
Behavioral Sciences
relationship satisfaction
attachment
perinatal depression
women of color
couple therapy
title Relationship Satisfaction, Attachment, and Perinatal Depression in Women of Color: A Quantitative Investigation
title_full Relationship Satisfaction, Attachment, and Perinatal Depression in Women of Color: A Quantitative Investigation
title_fullStr Relationship Satisfaction, Attachment, and Perinatal Depression in Women of Color: A Quantitative Investigation
title_full_unstemmed Relationship Satisfaction, Attachment, and Perinatal Depression in Women of Color: A Quantitative Investigation
title_short Relationship Satisfaction, Attachment, and Perinatal Depression in Women of Color: A Quantitative Investigation
title_sort relationship satisfaction attachment and perinatal depression in women of color a quantitative investigation
topic relationship satisfaction
attachment
perinatal depression
women of color
couple therapy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/12/1142
work_keys_str_mv AT reihanehmahdavishahri relationshipsatisfactionattachmentandperinataldepressioninwomenofcoloraquantitativeinvestigation
AT dumayigutierrez relationshipsatisfactionattachmentandperinataldepressioninwomenofcoloraquantitativeinvestigation