Socialm - psychological aspects of childbirth experience and their impact on early parental self-efficacy of first-time mothers

Title: SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CHILDBIRTH EXPERIENCE AND THEIR IMPACT ON EARLY PARENTAL SELF-EFFICACY OF FIRST-TIME MOTHERS Author: Eliška Kodyšová Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague Supervisor: PhDr. Simona Horáková Hoskovcová, PhD., Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague Abstract: Transition to parenthood is a significant transition period in a woman's psychological ontogenesis. An important predictor of parenting abilities and well-being is parental self-efficacy. Recent studies show that mothers' parental self-efficacy can be influenced by childbirth satisfaction, which, in turn, is predicted by social-psychological aspects of childbirth experience, especially support by caregivers. In a longitudinal 2-phase research, we have followed parental self-efficacy determinants working around 1st childbirth as well as childbirth experience determinants. Using multiple linear regression analysis we determined that although parental self-efficacy is mainly prenatally determined, caregivers' support and baby's soothability can impact it positively. We have also confirmed the decisive influence of caregivers' support on childbirth satisfaction in our sample, which is representative for Czech primiparas. ..