Proposer: Rollè Luca (1)
(1) Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Torino Discussant: Mazzeschi Claudia (2)
(2) Dipartimento di filosofia, scienze sociali, umane e della formazione, Università di Perugia
The transition to parenthood, from pregnancy to postpartum period, can be a critical process for both mother and father. The most recent reviews of literature highlight how, during pregnancy, psychological distress, anxious or depressive symptoms can impact on the individual and couple wellbeing, but also on the relationship with the newborn. Many longitudinal studies identify relations between pre and post-partum period and how the mother/father relationship and mother/father-infant relationship can be affected by several “complexity” of the parenthood such as fear of child birth, interaction with the baby and dyadic functioning. This symposium aims to discuss the factors associated to some of the complexity of the perinatal period with to deepen the analysis of the influence of specific variables. In the first contribution, Molgora e Fenaroli analyzed with cluster analysis, in a sample of 255 primiparous women, the relation of the anxious and depressive symptoms and the fear of childbirth. In the second contribution, Agostini and colleagues compared 54 mothers and 38 fathers infant interactions in a group of three months old preterm infants. In the
third contribution, Riva Crugnola and colleagues explore the maternal and paternal anxious and depressive symptoms and their possible relations with the mother infant interaction at three months of the baby. In the fourth contribution, Vismara and colleagues investigated, using a structural equation model, the relation between parenting stress, mental health (depressive and anxious symptoms) and dyadic adjustment in both mothers (134) and fathers (134) at 12 months of the babies.
PROFILES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN EXPECTANT MOTHERS
Molgora Sara (1), Fenaroli Valentina (1)
(1) Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan
In the last recent years psychological research on women’s mental health during the transition to parenthood has shifted the focus from the postpartum period to the perinatal period. Specifically, several studies have investigated the connection among mood disorders, anxiety disorders and fear of childbirth during pregnancy with inconsistent results. The present study aims to analyze the psychological profiles of pregnant women – based on their levels of anxiety, depression and fear of childbirth – through a cluster analysis. A sample of 255 primiparous Italian women, met between the 33rd and the 37th week of pregnancy, completed a questionnaire packet that included the following scales: Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire – version A; Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; State- Trait Anxiety Inventory. All these variables were considered both as continuous and dichotomous variable (referring to the clinical cut-off scores). Results shown a three cluster solution: the first cluster included pregnant women characterized by a general well-being (low levels on the three variables considered); the second cluster comprised expectant mothers
with high levels of state anxiety and fear of childbirth; the third cluster encompassed women characterized by an overall condition of distress (high levels of anxiety, depression, and fear). Moreover, all the women with a score of depression above the clinical cut-off belonged to this cluster. The clinical implication will be discussed during the congress.
PARENT-PRETERM INFANT INTERACTIONS AT 3 MONTHS OF CORRECTED AGE: COMPARISONS BETWEEN MOTHERS AND FATHERS USING CARE-INDEX
Agostini Francesca (1), Neri Erica (1), Polizzi Concetta (2), Perricone Giovanna (2)
(1) Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy
(2) Department of Psychological, Educational and Training Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Some studies have compared early mother-infant and father-infant interactions, showing similar synchrony and positive affect (Feldman, 2003). Comparisons are lacking in the research area on preterm birth, which is considered a specific risk factor for infant development. The aim of the study was to compare mother and father-infant interactions after preterm birth, specifically at 3 months of corrected age. Ninety-two preterm infants (69 were very low birth weight, VLBW; 23 extremely low birth weight, ELBW) and their mothers (n=54) and fathers (n=38) were videorecorded during a 3-minute free interaction in our University Labs. Videorecorded interactions were then coded using Child-Adult Relationship experimental Index (CARE-Index; Crittenden, 1979, 2007), a clinical scale to assess the quality of interactions, specifically parental behaviours (defined as Sensitive, Controlling, Unresponsive) and infant ones (Cooperative, Compulsive-compliant, Difficult, Passive). Results showed differences in interactions based on the parent’s gender. Specifically, higher control was
evident in mother-infant interactions (p=0.02), while a higher level of unresponsiveness was prevalent in father-infant interactions (p=0.01). Mothers and fathers showed similar levels of sensitivity towards the infant. No differences between mothers and fathers emerged related to severity of infant birth weight (VLBW vs ELBW). Preterm infants showed more passive behaviours when interacting with fathers compared to mothers (p=0.02). Mother’s control seems strictly connected to her greater involvement in preterm infant daily care, while fathers seem relatively uninvolved in this role. Further studies are needed to understand how these interactive patterns develop across time.
PATERNAL AND MATERNAL DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY: EFFECTS ON MOTHER AND INFANT INTERACTION AT THREE MONTHS
Riva Crugnola Cristina (1), Ferro Valentino (1), Ierardi Elena (1), Carloni Veronica (1), Parodi Cinzia (2)
(1) Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca (2) Dipartimento di Salute Mentale e Dipendenze, ASL2 Savonese
During the perinatal period there is a slightly lower frequency of psychopathological disorders in fathers than in mothers (Baldoni et al., 2010). Various studies have shown that paternal perinatal depression and anxiety are often associated with maternal depression and anxiety (Matthey et al., 2000) and that these disorders influence a child’s socio-emotional development (Goodman et al., 1999). No study has explored the impact of these paternal disorders on the infant-mother relationship. The aims of the study are to evaluate the relationship between maternal and paternal depression and anxiety in the postnatal period and to examine the possible association between maternal and paternal depression and anxiety and mother-infant interaction. 38 mothers and 38 fathers were recruited at ASL2
Savonese (PRIN 2010/2011 20107JZAF4_003). Maternal and paternal depression were evaluated with EPDS (Cox et al., 1987) and maternal and paternal anxiety with STAI-Y (Spielberger et al., 1983); mother-infant interaction was coded using the Care-Index (Crittenden, 1998) at infant 3 months. Results showed that paternal depression was related to paternal state anxiety (p=.000) and trait anxiety (p=.000); paternal depression was correlated to maternal trait anxiety (p=.03); paternal state anxiety was correlated to maternal state (p=.04) and trait (p=.02) anxiety. No significant association was found between paternal and maternal depression. Multiple regression analysis showed that paternal depression and paternal trait anxiety negatively affect maternal sensitivity style and cooperative infant style; maternal depression and state anxiety affect maternal controlling style. The findings highlight the association between anxiety and depression in fathers and the relationships between paternal and maternal anxiety and depression. They also show the early influence of a father’s anxiety and depression on mother and infant styles of interaction.
DYADIC ADJUSTMENT: CONTRIBUTING VARIABLES IN A SAMPLE OF FIRST-TIME PARENTS
Rollè Luca (1), Vismara Laura (2), Prino Laura Elvira (1), Costa Giulia (1), Gerino Eva (1),Patteri Luciana (1), Brustia Piera (1)
(1) Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Torino
(2) Dipartimento di Pedagogia, Psicologia, Filosofia, Università di Cagliari
This research is supported by grants from PRIN 2013/2016 - 20107JZAF4, Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research (MIUR).
The transition to parenthood is one of the most challenging moment of life; in such period, the couple relationship is particularly fragile, as they have to learn to adapt to the physical, psychological, emotional, and relational changes that occur. Specifically, the couple relationship tends to be more
susceptible to risks that may in turn affect their mental health and wellness. In order to deepen the impact of such developmental stage on the couple, the present study aims to investigate the relationships among parenting stress, depression, anxiety, and dyadic adjustment among first time parents. The sample consisted of 268 parents (134 couples; mothers’ MAge =35.1, SD = 4.8; fathers’ MAge = 38.2, SD = 5.8) of healthy babies. At 12 months postpartum, both parents completed, in a counterbalanced order, the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF; Abidin, 1995; Guarino et al. 2008), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; Cox, Holden, Sagovsky, 1987), and the State- Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger e al., 1983; Pedrabissi and Santinello, 1989) and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS; Spanier, 1979; Gentili, Contreras, Cassaniti, and D’Arista, 2002). A structural equation modeling has been used to analyze the potential mediating effects of depression and anxiety on the relationship between parenting stress and dyadic adjustment. Structural equation modeling showed full mediation effect of depression and anxiety between parenting stress and dyadic adjustment. No difference emerged between mothers and fathers. Findings suggest that depression and anxiety are crucial in effecting parenting stress and dyadic adjustment in the transition to parenthood. This information confirms the need to develop interventions that include both mothers and fathers to support parental and couple wellness in such vulnerable stage of life.