4 - (SYM 31) Parity, Perceived Responsibility, and Infant-related Intrusive Thoughts in the Postpartum Period

Postpartum mothers have an elevated risk of developing or exacerbating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. The cognitive model of OCD theorizes that the root of pathology stems from an inflated perception of responsibility to cause or prevent an intrusive thought. The abrupt increase in responsibility of parenting a newborn may influence perception of responsibility, placing new mothers in a vulnerable position for misappraising the probability of, and responsibility for infant-related intrusive thoughts. Researchers have hypothesized that “new” mothers are highly vulnerable to developing or exacerbating OCD, though whether the experiences of “new,” first-time (primiparous) mothers differ from mothers of a “new” infant (regardless of birth count) remains unclear.
The current study aims to examine the experience of and perceived responsibility for infant-related intrusive thoughts among primiparous and multiparous postpartum mothers. One hundred and thirty postpartum mothers (65 participants in each parity group) will complete the Responsibility Interpretations Questionnaire’s Belief Subscale and the Parental Thoughts and Behaviors Checklist’s Obsessions and Compulsions subscales. It is hypothesized that primiparous mothers will endorse higher levels of perceived responsibility for infant-related intrusive thoughts as well as a greater level of impact of infant-related intrusive thoughts. Additionally, it is hypothesized that perceived responsibility for infant-related intrusive thoughts will have a mediating effect on the relationship between parity and the impact of infant-related intrusive thoughts.
Currently, data collection is in progress and participants are recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk), an online research platform facilitating the anonymous recruitment of participants to complete online surveys for compensation. A preliminary review of participant data (n=25) reveals 100% of participants identify as cisgender women, with 60% identifying as primiparous (first time) mothers. Data completion is anticipated by May 2025 and subsequent analyses will be finalized by June 2024. The results of this study will further enhance our understanding of the risk factors associated with the development of OCD among primiparous mothers compared to multiparous mothers, contributing valuable insights into postpartum OCD risk factors, and identifying individuals who may benefit from targeted interventions.