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Article

Prenatal Planning and Breastfeeding: Buffering Postpartum Depression Through Positive Affect

by
Ana Catala
1,
Cecilia Peñacoba
2 and
Patricia Catalá
2,*
1
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
2
Department of Psychology, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(6), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060591
Submission received: 12 April 2025 / Revised: 23 May 2025 / Accepted: 27 May 2025 / Published: 29 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress, Resilience and Susceptibility)

Abstract

Background/Objectives:In the context of maternal mental health, this cross-sectional study investigates a moderated mediation model to explore how prenatal planning is associated with postpartum depression. Specifically, we examined whether planned pregnancy (X) is associated with fewer postpartum depression symptoms (Y) through greater positive affect (M), and whether the indirect association is moderated by breastfeeding duration (W). Methods: Data were collected from 117 postpartum mothers via self-report questionnaires that measured the degree of pregnancy planning, positive affect, postpartum depression symptoms, and breastfeeding duration. Bootstrap analyses were performed to assess the conditional indirect effects across two levels of breastfeeding duration. Results: The findings suggest an indirect association between pregnancy planning and postpartum depressive symptoms through positive affect, moderated by breastfeeding duration. This association was statistically significant only among mothers who breastfed for less than six months, indicating that the protective emotional effect of pregnancy planning may be more evident in this group. No significant indirect effects were observed in mothers who breastfed beyond this duration. Conclusions: These exploratory findings suggest that positive affect may be a pathway through which prenatal planning relates to maternal well-being, particularly in the context of breastfeeding practices. Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be drawn. Future longitudinal research is needed to confirm these associations.
Keywords: prenatal planning; breastfeeding duration; postpartum depression; positive affect; maternal mental health prenatal planning; breastfeeding duration; postpartum depression; positive affect; maternal mental health

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Catala, A.; Peñacoba, C.; Catalá, P. Prenatal Planning and Breastfeeding: Buffering Postpartum Depression Through Positive Affect. Brain Sci. 2025, 15, 591. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060591

AMA Style

Catala A, Peñacoba C, Catalá P. Prenatal Planning and Breastfeeding: Buffering Postpartum Depression Through Positive Affect. Brain Sciences. 2025; 15(6):591. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060591

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catala, Ana, Cecilia Peñacoba, and Patricia Catalá. 2025. "Prenatal Planning and Breastfeeding: Buffering Postpartum Depression Through Positive Affect" Brain Sciences 15, no. 6: 591. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060591

APA Style

Catala, A., Peñacoba, C., & Catalá, P. (2025). Prenatal Planning and Breastfeeding: Buffering Postpartum Depression Through Positive Affect. Brain Sciences, 15(6), 591. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060591

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