Mistreatment and discrimination during childbirth, associations with symptoms of childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder and the mediating role of the subjective birth experience: a quantitative analysis within the prospective cohort study RESPECT PARENTS = Gewalt und Diskriminierung unter der Geburt, der Zusammenhang mit Symptomen einer geburtsbezogenen Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung und die vermittelnde Rolle des subjektiven Geburtserlebens : eine quantitative Analyse im Rahmen der prospektiven Kohortenstudie RESPECT PARENTS
Mistreatment and discrimination during childbirth are a global public health concern. Such experiences can adversely affect the subjective birth experience and increase the likelihood of compromised postpartum mental health, including symptoms of childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CB-...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
11. November 2025
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| In: |
Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde
Year: 2025, Volume: 85, Issue: 12, Pages: 1304-1325 |
| ISSN: | 1438-8804 |
| DOI: | 10.1055/a-2717-7798 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2717-7798 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/a-2717-7798 
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| Author Notes: | Christin Porstendorfer-Almeida Froz, Bianka Vollert, Ionna Hansen, Nina Schurig, Lara Seefeld, Victoria Weise, Cahit Birdir, Pauline Wimberger, Susan Garthus-Niegel |
| Summary: | Mistreatment and discrimination during childbirth are a global public health concern. Such experiences can adversely affect the subjective birth experience and increase the likelihood of compromised postpartum mental health, including symptoms of childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) not only in mothers/birthing parents, but also in partners. This study examines instances of mistreatment and discrimination during childbirth, their association with CB-PTSD symptoms, and the potential mediating role of the subjective birth experience in both parents. - - Data were retrieved from the prospective RESPECTPARENTS cohort, a German community sample. For the current study, data from n = 1075 mothers/birthing parents and n = 454 partners, collected at two assessment points, i.e., during pregnancy and eight weeks after birth, were included. Regression and mediation models were used to analyze the associations separately for mothers/birthing parents and partners. - - Mistreatment during childbirth was reported by 25.8% of mothers/birthing parents and 6.8% of partners, whereas perceived discrimination was reported by 3.9% of mothers/birthing parents and 3.5% of partners. These experiences predicted more severe CB-PTSD symptoms among mothers/birthing parents. For both parents, experiencing more mistreatment and more discrimination was associated with a more negative subjective birth experience, which in turn was associated with more severe CB-PTSD symptoms, demonstrating a significant mediation effect. - - The current study indicates that mistreatment and discrimination during childbirth exist in Germany among both mothers/birthing parents and partners, potentially contributing to a more negative subjective birth experience and more severe CB-PTSD symptoms. The findings emphasize the need to address mistreatment and discrimination during childbirth for both parents, in general and as potential risk factors for adverse outcomes. |
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| Item Description: | Im Titel erscheint "PARENTS" tiefgestellt Gesehen am 11.03.2026 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1438-8804 |
| DOI: | 10.1055/a-2717-7798 |