Predictors of coparenting and parenting sense of competency among women presenting for perinatal mental health support

Objective: Perinatal mental health symptoms negatively impact maternal wellbeing, the mother-child relationship, and child development. Coparenting quality and parenting sense of competence may mediate these effects, yet most research has focused on community samples. Method: This study recruited 86 women (M_age = 30.95, SD = 10.14) seeking psychological therapy through an Australian Perinatal Mental Health Service. Participants completed self-report measures assessing self-compassion, coparenting, depression, attachment style and parenting competence before commencing psychological treatment. Results: Hierarchical regression models identified dismissing attachment style (t = -2.366, p =.023) and higher stress (t = -2.265, p =.029) predicted poorer coparenting quality. Greater parenting sense of competency was uniquely predicted by self-compassion components–reduced self-judgement, t = 2.525, p =.033) and common humanity, t = 2.525, p =.016). Conclusion: Targeting relational styles, stress and self-compassion in perinatal interventions may support parents experiencing mental health difficulties.