A study has been conducted in Malta to explore the presence of attentional bias (AB) during pregnancy, and whether this was associated with post traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) following childbirth.

PTSS after childbirth have been extensively reported. Research has consistently demonstrated the role of AB in the maintenance of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the exploration of AB in PTSS following childbirth remains relatively unexplored.

In the study, 39 pregnant women completed the Dot Probe to measure AB during their third trimester of pregnancy, while 26 women completed a measure of PTSD four to six weeks after childbirth.

The results show that AB, in the form of a difficulty to disengage attention from labour words, was found during pregnancy. However, this was not associated with PTSS following childbirth.

These findings are the first to establish that despite AB being present during pregnancy, it is not related to PTSS following childbirth.

Dr Stephanie Page will give a presentation on the study on May 28 from 1 to 2.30pm in the University’s Psychology Lab, Old Humanities building, room 101, Msida campus.

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