Mothers' Experiences of their Child: the Validation of a Self-Report Antenatal and Postnatal Questionnaire

Abstract

The concept of Mind-Mindedness has important implications for the parenting relationship and infant outcomes (McMahon & Meins, 2012; Meins, Centifanti, Fernyhough, & Fishburn, 2013; Meins et al., 2012). Recent research has indicated that Mind-Mindedness is amenable to change in the antenatal period and thus indicates that targeted interventions should be provided to mothers to improve maternal Mind- Mindedness (Kondel-Laws & Greenwood, 2014; Kondel-Laws, Parkinson, Hensman, & Laws, 2012). However, no expedient method of assessing Mind-Mindedness exists. This study attempts to address this by developing two questionnaires to assess Mind- Mindedness during pregnancy and after birth. The questionnaires were administered via an online survey. The Mind-Mindedness Antenatal Questionnaire (MMAQ) was administered to a sample of 273 pregnant mothers in their first, second and third trimester of pregnancy, whereas, the Mind-Mindedness Postpartum Questionnaire (MMPQ) was administered to 397 mothers with a child between one month and six years old. Participants completed either the MMAQ or MMPQ and a demographic questionnaire. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted on the MMAQ indicated a three-factor solution. The three subscales (Future Baby, Mother Baby Interaction and Baby’s Feelings) of the MMAQ, as well as the overall total score, showed good internal reliability. An EFA on the MMPQ also indicated a three-factor solution. Good internal reliability was found for two of the subscales (Child’s Mind and Negative Emotions). However, the third subscale (Future Aspirations) had low internal reliability. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess the variables related to the questionnaires in order to start to establish the external reliability and validity of the MMAQ and MMPQ. The concepts underpinning the MMAQ and MMPQ were discussed, as well as, the variables associated with the measures and the clinical implications.