Women with postpartum depression had more negative
perceptions of their infants, of themselves as mothers, and
of their ability to provide appropriate care for their infants
at 2 to 3 months following birth (Fowles, 1998). Women
who reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and marital
ambivalence and conflict during pregnancy reported less
efficacy in the parenting role (Porter & Hsu, 2003). More
child-care experience was associated with greater confidence
in the mothering role during pregnancy, but it did not predict
self-efficacy postpartum. Maternal efficacy increased at
1 month from the pregnancy measure; it was related to anxiety
and marital love and maintenance, but it was no longer
related to depression. By 3 months none of the psychosocial
indicators of well-being were related to maternal efficacy,
indicating that mothers’ efficacy was becoming more differentiated
and compartmentalized and less related to internal
mood states or marital supports. Mothers’ perceptions of
infant temperament were associated with maternal efficacy
at 3 months, indicating that mothers’ parental competency
was being shaped by the dynamic interplay between infant
traits and mothers’ ongoing success in caregiving.