Longitudinal changes in disgust sensitivity during pregnancy and the early postpartum period, and the role of recent health problems.

ABSTRACT: Disgust is an essential part of the behavioral immune system, protecting the individual from infection. According to the Compensatory Prophylaxis Hypothesis (CPH), disgust sensitivity increases in times of immunosuppression, potentially including pregnancy. We aimed to replicate a previous study observing longitudinal changes in disgust sensitivity in pregnant women. Additionally, for the first time, we explored how recent health problems influence these changes. To do this, we obtained disgust sensitivity measures from 94 women in each trimester and in early postpartum. In contrast to the original study, where disgust sensitivity was highest in the first trimester, we found that overall and animal reminder disgust increased across pregnancy and after birth. In line with the CPH, women who

SUBMITTER: Dlouha D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10036647 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature