The education of experience: Mixed methods evidence demonstrates the benefit of multiparity

Ariana M Albanese; Pamela A Geller; Jackson M Steinkamp; A Rani Elwy; Hannah E Frank; Jennifer L Barkin

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2024.104015

The education of experience: Mixed methods evidence demonstrates the benefit of multiparity

Midwifery. 2024 Apr 23:134:104015. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.104015. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ariana M Albanese¹, Pamela A Geller², Jackson M Steinkamp³, A Rani Elwy⁴, Hannah E Frank⁴, Jennifer L Barkin⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. Electronic address: ariana_albanese@brown.edu.
² Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
³ Department of Medicine, Brown Medicine, Warwick, RI, USA 02888.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
⁵ Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA.

PMID: 38688050
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.104015

Abstract

Problem: Existing quantitative data is conflicting concerning whether multiparous birthing parents (individuals with an older child(ren)) experience an easier postpartum transition compared to primiparous birthing parents (first time parents).

Aim: This convergent mixed methods study leverages the depth of qualitative inquiry to seek a clearer understanding of the way in which acquired parenting experience contributes to observed quantitative differences in outcomes between parity groups. This work can serve as a first step in planning for supportive interventions that effectively address the postpartum needs of both parity groups.

Methods: Thirty birthing parents (43.3% multiparous; 46.7% racial minorities) completed measures of postpartum functioning, perceived stress, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms as well as an interview inquiring about factors impacting postpartum functioning. Scores on postpartum functioning and emotional wellbeing were compared between parity groups, and these findings were merged with the qualitative data on firsthand parenting experience to clarify how acquired experience impacts functioning and emotional wellbeing during the postpartum transition.

Findings: Primiparous parents reported significantly: worse postpartum functioning, higher perceived stress, higher levels of depression symptoms, and higher levels of anxiety symptoms. Participants' qualitative report of how acquired parenting experience impacts wellbeing suggests that experience grants parents skills, knowledge, and the opportunity to disconfirm maladaptive cognitions about parenting which allows for increased comfort and confidence in the parental role.

Conclusions: The practical and psychological resources gained from acquiring parenting experience during one's first postpartum period appear to be brought forward into subsequent pregnancies and protect against threats to functioning and emotional wellbeing.

Keywords: Mental health; Parenting; Parity; Postpartum period.