Perinatal anxiety as a factor in maternal bonding and postnatal depressive symptomatology among mothers of full-term and premature infants

This thesis investigated the theoretical evidence that maternal anxiety evident in mothers of premature and full-term infants postpartum may not be abnormal as implied in current research. Drawing on Winnicott's (1956) theoretical framework this thesis empirically tested data drawn from 260 participants and argued that the prevailing view that motherhood should be free of anxiety is likely to be misleading when investigating the mechanisms that lead to the onset of postpartum depression. It was concluded that following the birth of an infant, maternal wellbeing should be understood within an attachment framework that normalises maternal anxiety which will aid in a clearer understanding of not only the impact prematurity has on a mother's ability to bond to her infant but also the mechanisms that lead to depression.