Sense of Coherence in the Perinatal Period: A Longitudinal Growth Mixture Modeling Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies have established that higher Sense of Coherence (SoC) predicts lower pregnancy-specific distress, fewer delivery complications, and increased birth satisfaction. However, less is known about how SoC typically changes over pregnancy, birth, and postnatally and the risk factors and protective factors contributing to SoC trajectory during the perinatal period. In this study, we aim to describe and predict common trajectories of SoC in the perinatal period. Methods: 680 women in the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study completed measures of SoC on four occasions across pregnancy and the postpartum. Predictors included history of childhood trauma, expectation..