Complex trauma and caregiving representations in pregnant women

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Exploring associations between complex trauma and caregiving representations in pregnant women.

• IRAS ID

  319034

• Contact name

  Cecile Musgrave

• Contact email

  s2271847@ed.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Edinburgh

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 6 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Summary of Research
  The study aims to investigate pregnant women's past experiences of trauma and identify whether there are associations with their caregiving representations (the way that they think and feel about their unborn baby). Further we will be investigating how this relationship is mediated by current mental health difficulties.

  This study aims to recruit individuals who are over 18 years of age and are pregnant. Participants will be recruited from clinical (NHS outpatients) and community (via social media forums and platforms) settings. Participation will involve providing informed consent and completing an online survey taking approximately 30 minutes. This will be comprised of screening questions, demographic data collection, and a series of self-report measures regarding complex trauma, antenatal caregiving representations, current mental health, perceived social support, and adult attachment. The study will use a cross-sectional, quantitative, non-experimental design.

  Summary of Results
  Results showed that participants with lower levels of trauma exposure experienced more negative expectations of their future child. These results are discussed in the context of personal resilience and social support, which may protect against the negative effects of trauma. Results found that higher levels of depression were linked to negative maternal expectations, as predicted. Together, trauma exposure and depression contributed to maternal thoughts and feelings about their baby, but appear to influence this in different ways

• REC name

  London - South East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  22/LO/0914

• Date of REC Opinion

  30 Dec 2022

• REC opinion

  Unfavourable Opinion