Post-traumatic stress symptoms, rumination, and posttraumatic growth in women with a traumatic childbirth experience

Abreu, Wilson orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-0847-824X, Brandão, Sónia orcid iconORCID: 0000-0001-8765-8240, Brandão, Tânia orcid iconORCID: 0000-0001-7865-2445, Prata, Ana Paula orcid iconORCID: 0000-0001-7552-9716, Silva, Rosa orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-3947-7098, Riklikiene, Olga orcid iconORCID: 0000-0001-5143-4288, Jarasiunaite-Fedosejeva, Gabija orcid iconORCID: 0000-0003-0989-6758, González Mesa, Ernesto S. orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-7106-092X, İsbir, Gözde Gökçe orcid iconORCID: 0000-0003-0101-0641 et al (2025) Post-traumatic stress symptoms, rumination, and posttraumatic growth in women with a traumatic childbirth experience. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology . ISSN 0264-6838

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2025.2497401

Abstract

Background
Rumination can either prolong distress or foster growth following traumatic experiences like childbirth. This study investigates the association between post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth in women who underwent traumatic childbirth, examining the potential mediating role of two types of rumination – intrusive and deliberate.

Methods
A cross-sectional study in Northern Portugal from January 2020 to December 2021 surveyed 202 women with infants under 12 months, self-reporting traumatic childbirth experiences. Instruments included the City Birth Trauma Scale, Event-Related Rumination Inventory, and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory.

Results
Women experienced various childbirth-related traumatic events, with most showing post-traumatic stress symptoms for over three months. Approximately 60% met post-traumatic stress disorder criteria.

The results indicate that post-traumatic stress symptoms were positively correlated with post-traumatic growth, and both showed positive associations with intrusive rumination and deliberate rumination. Mediation analysis revealed deliberate rumination significantly mediated post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth, highlighting its role in trauma outcomes.

Conclusions
This study illuminated the pathway through which post-traumatic stress symptoms can lead to posttraumatic growth, highlighting the pivotal role of deliberate rumination in this association. This finding is essential for tailoring therapeutic interventions that effectively foster post-traumatic recovery and resilience, underscoring the importance of promoting deliberate rumination.


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