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Dikmen-Yildiz P. Father-to-infant attachment and its associated factors during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2024:1-16. [PMID: 39041295 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2024.2382214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The attachment between father and infant is essential to a child's later development and well-being; yet, hardly any research has examined father-to-infant attachment during the outbreak of COVID-19. This study, therefore, aims to examine psychological, interpersonal, and health-related factors associated with father-to-infant attachment at 3-12 months postpartum during the pandemic. METHOD An online cross-sectional study was conducted between June and December 2021. A total of 775 fathers with at least one child aged 3-12 months were recruited. Participants completed measures of depression, COVID-19-related distress, relationship satisfaction, social support and other health-related factors including COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalisation. Data on psycho-socio-demographic, obstetric, and COVID-19-related characteristics were also collected. RESULTS Findings demonstrated that paternal depression (β = -.33, p < .001); relationship satisfaction (β = .19, p < .001); COVID-19-related psychological distress (β = -.14, p < .001) and social support (β = .13, p < .001) had a significant effect on father-to-infant attachment. Fathers who were multiparous, had COVID-19 diagnosis, and hospitalised due to COVID-19 were more likely to report poorer father-to-infant attachment. Paternal depression was the most influential factor on father-to-infant attachment, which attenuated the strength of the relationships between marital status, prematurity, history of trauma, sleep quality, and father-to-infant attachment once included into the analyses. No significant associations between educational level, employment, socioeconomic status, delivery mode, and father-to-infant attachment were observed. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the critical role of paternal psychological well-being in establishing healthy father-to-infant attachment and the relevance of having satisfied interpersonal relationships in promoting this early relationship particularly during crises such as COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pelin Dikmen-Yildiz
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kirklareli University, Kirklareli, Türkiye
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O’Brien J, Gregg L, Wittkowski A. "Finding my voice again" - women's experiences of psychological therapy in perinatal secondary care settings: a qualitative study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1240855. [PMID: 38863602 PMCID: PMC11165924 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1240855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although women often experience mental health comorbidities in the perinatal period, the evidence-base for psychological therapy across diagnostic boundaries in the perinatal period remains limited. As there is a need to understand experiences of therapy, irrespective of diagnosis, to inform intervention provision, the aims of this study were to explore women's experiences of psychological therapy for perinatal mental health difficulties and to identify the mechanisms that women attributed to the most significant therapeutic change for themselves and/or the mother-infant relationship. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 women who received therapy within specialist perinatal community mental health settings in the Northwest of England, the UK. Interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results One overarching theme entitled participant life stories were at the heart of therapy was identified alongside three other main themes: 1.) We're in this together - therapeutic bond and establishing a coherent sense of self, 2.) Surfing the urge to 'fix' feelings - Sitting with emotions improved regulation and 3.) Seeing myself in a new light - Shifting self-blame to self-compassion enhanced self-efficacy. Theme 1 consisted of three subthemes. Participants described the quality of the therapeutic relationship as the fundamental foundation to (re)connecting with their needs, values and boundaries, which improved their sense of agency, self-esteem, therapeutic engagement and self-understanding. Shifting emotional avoidance to emotional engagement improved their self-regulation. Considering alternative factors that could have contributed to their experiences helped them to defuse self-blame and enhance self-compassion. Finally, changes in their mental health led to positive relational changes in their relationship with their infant and improved communication with partners. Discussion Sensitivity, engagement and responsivity experienced in the therapist-woman relationship was reported to be mirrored in the mother-infant relationship. Developing a coherent sense of self and self-regulation skills both appeared to heighten women's self-compassion and empathy for their infants, which also seemed to improve their ability to tolerate uncertainty and mixed emotions within themselves and their infants. The mechanisms of change in the perinatal period are important to consider at a stakeholder, therapist and service management level to parsimoniously and best meet the needs of women and the mother-infant relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayne O’Brien
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Perinatal Mental Health and Parenting Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health National Health Service Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Lynsey Gregg
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Anja Wittkowski
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Perinatal Mental Health and Parenting Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health National Health Service Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Manchester Health Alliance Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Kerker BD, Barajas-Gonzalez RG, Rojas NM, Norton JM, Brotman LM. Enhancing immigrant families' mental health through the promotion of structural and community-based support. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1382600. [PMID: 38751580 PMCID: PMC11094290 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1382600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Immigrant communities in the United States are diverse and have many assets. Yet, they often experience stressors that can undermine the mental health of residents. To fully promote mental health and well-being among immigrant communities, it is important to emphasize population-level policies and practices that may serve to mitigate stress and prevent mental health disorders. In this paper, we describe the stressors and stress experienced by immigrant families, using Sunset Park, Brooklyn as an example. We discuss ways to build structures and policies in support of equitable environments that promote mental health at the population level and enable families and their children to thrive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie D. Kerker
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Natalia M. Rojas
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jennifer M. Norton
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Laurie M. Brotman
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Hale FB, Harris AL. Understanding the Psychological Risks to Maternal Mental Health, Maternal-Infant Bonding, and Infant Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nurs Womens Health 2024; 28:152-158. [PMID: 38373696 DOI: 10.1016/j.nwh.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
This short review summarizes two recent U.S.-based studies in which researchers evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on postpartum outcomes. The first study examined the neurodevelopmental status of infants born to women infected with SARS-CoV-2, and the second examined psychological risks to maternal-infant bonding. Results indicated that pandemic-related stressors likely contributed to diminished maternal-infant health outcomes. It is imperative that nurses stay informed on the latest science exploring the impact the pandemic has had on the health and well-being of pregnant persons and infants.
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Żyrek J, Klimek M, Apanasewicz A, Ciochoń A, Danel DP, Marcinkowska UM, Mijas M, Ziomkiewicz A, Galbarczyk A. Social support during pregnancy and the risk of postpartum depression in Polish women: A prospective study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6906. [PMID: 38519648 PMCID: PMC10959954 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57477-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Social support has been proposed as an important determinant of women's physical and emotional well-being during pregnancy and after childbirth. Our study aimed to examine the association between the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) and perceived social support during pregnancy. A web-based prospective study survey was conducted among Polish women. The level of social support was measured with the Berlin Social Support Scales during pregnancy. Four weeks after the birth the risk of PPD was assessed using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Data from 932 mothers aged 19-43 (mean 30.95; SD 3.83) were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. Higher perceived available support (emotional and instrumental), currently received support (emotional, instrumental and informational), satisfaction with the support, and sum of score were all associated with lower risk of PPD, after controlling for selected covariates (woman's age, socioeconomic status, parity status, place of residency, education, child's Apgar score, type of delivery, complications during birth, kin assisting the labor, breastfeeding). Our results suggest that the more social support the pregnant woman receives, the lower is her risk of PPD. Since humans evolved as cooperative breeders, they are inherently reliant on social support to raise children and such allomaternal help could improve maternal well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Żyrek
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- BirthRites Lise Meitner Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Magdalena Klimek
- Department of Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Apanasewicz
- Department of Anthropology, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Ciochoń
- Department of Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Dariusz P Danel
- Department of Anthropology, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Urszula M Marcinkowska
- Department of Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Mijas
- Department of Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Ziomkiewicz
- Laboratory of Anthropology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrzej Galbarczyk
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
- Department of Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
- BirthRites Lise Meitner Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
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Alloghani MM, Baig MR, Alawadhi SMS. Sociodemographic Correlates of Postpartum Depression: A Survey-Based Study. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2024; 19:174-184. [PMID: 38686314 PMCID: PMC11055974 DOI: 10.18502/ijps.v19i2.15103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Post-partum depression (PPD) has been reported in about one-seventh to one-tenth of women. The aim of this study is to identify the demographic, obstetrics, social, and psychological risk factors of PPD among the eastern region of the United Arab Emirates. Method : A community-based cross-sectional study was performed on 200 women who had a recent singleton pregnancy and delivered newborn within past six months via convenience sampling and email snowballing. Several demographics, obstetrics, social, and psychological factors of the respondents were assessed using a survey form. The Edinburgh depression rating scale (EDRS) was used for the identification of women with possible PPD. Descriptive statistics were utilized for the representation of demographic variables, whereas Chi-square test was employed to assess categorical variables. Also, logistic regression was applied to evaluate the association of investigated variables and PPD. Results: The median EDRS score amongst the study participants was found to be 11 (0-26). The prevalence of PPD was found to be 57% in the studied population. Significant differences were observed in the adverse life events, emotional supports, marital conflicts and history of depression of the participants with and without PPD (P < 0.01). The risk factors significantly associated with PPD were age of the newborn (OR = 6.50, 95%CI: 1.17-19.91), marital relationship (OR = 4.15, 95%CI: 1.31-15.22), maternal educational level (OR = 5.10, 95%CI: 4.30-16.58), adverse life events (OR = 9.32, 95%CI: 1.33-35.32), and history of depression (OR = 5.24, 95%CI: 3.14-11.96). Conclusion: Given the findings, there is an urgent need for policy initiatives to address the identified risk factors, such as improving access to education, strengthening supportive marital relationships, and providing comprehensive mental health services for pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mirza R. Baig
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Dubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai, UAE
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