1
|
Daneshnia N, Chechko N, Nehls S. Do Parental Hormone Levels Synchronize During the Prenatal and Postpartum Periods? A Systematic Review. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2024:10.1007/s10567-024-00474-7. [PMID: 38615295 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-024-00474-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Physiological synchrony is the phenomenon of linked physiological processes among two or more individuals. Evidence of linkage between dyads has been found among a broad range of physiological indices, including the endocrine systems. During the transition to parenthood, both men and women undergo hormonal changes that facilitate parenting behavior. The present review sought to address the question as to whether hormonal synchronization occurs among expecting or new parents. A systematic literature search yielded 13 eligible records. The evidence of cortisol synchrony during the prenatal period, with additional testosterone, prolactin, and progesterone covariations in the time leading up to childbirth, was found to be most significant. During the postpartum period, parental synchrony was reported for oxytocin, testosterone, and cortisol levels. The implications of these covariations were found to translate into adaptive parenting behaviors and the facilitation of romantic bond. Associations with infant development were also reported, suggesting far-reaching effects of hormonal synchrony outside the parental dyad. The results highlight the importance of physiological interrelatedness during this sensitive period, underscoring the need for further research in this field. In view of the limited data available in this research domain, we have put forward a framework for future studies, recommending the adoption of standardized research protocols and repeated collections of specimens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Negin Daneshnia
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Natalia Chechko
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM-10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain and Behavior (INM-7), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Susanne Nehls
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM-10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li Z, Sturge-Apple ML, Swerbenski HG, Liu S, Davies PT. Family risk, parental cortisol contagion, and parenting: A process-oriented approach to spillover. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38440805 PMCID: PMC11374936 DOI: 10.1017/s095457942400052x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
This multi-method longitudinal study sought to investigate linkage in parental neuroendocrine functioning - indicated by cortisol - over two measurement occasions. In addition, we examined how parental cortisol linkage may operate as an intermediate factor in the cascade of contextual risks and parenting. Participants were 235 families with a young child (Mage = 33.56, 36.00 years for mothers and fathers respectively), who were followed for two annual measurement occasions. Parental cortisol linkage was measured around a laboratory conflict discussion task at both measurement occasions (i.e., pre-discussion, 20- and 40-minute post-discussion for each measurement occasion). Maternal and paternal parenting behavior was observed during a parent-child discipline discussion task. Findings indicated similar levels of cortisol linkage between parents over the two measurement occasions. Furthermore, cortisol linkage between parents operated as an intermediate factor between contextual risks and more compromised parenting behavior. That is, greater contextual risks, indicated by greater neighborhood risk and interparental conflict, were linked to greater cortisol linkage between parents over time, which was in turn linked to greater authoritarian parenting during parent-child interaction. Findings highlighted the importance of understanding physiological-linkage processes with respect to the impact of contextual risks on family functioning and may have crucial implications for clinical work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Li
- University of Rochester & Mt. Hope Family Center, Rochester, USA
| | | | | | - Siwei Liu
- University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Patrick T Davies
- University of Rochester & Mt. Hope Family Center, Rochester, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kotov DA, Corpuz R. No evidence for relationship between paternal post-partum depressive symptoms and testosterone or cortisol in first-time fathers. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1348031. [PMID: 38425562 PMCID: PMC10902172 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1348031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Male life history strategies are regulated by the neuroendocrine system. Testosterone (T) and cortisol regulate male behaviors including parenting and facilitate managing tradeoffs at key transitions in development such as first-time fatherhood. Both hormones demonstrate marked fluctuations in the postnatal period, and this presents an opportunity to investigate the role of T and cortisol in postpartum depressive symptoms-comparably less studied in fathers than in mothers in the evolutionary literature. Prior work on depressive symptoms has yet to integrate insights from the "dual hormone hypothesis (DHH)" which has focused on how T and cortisol interact to jointly regulate traits associated with dominance and status-seeking (i.e., mating effort) but has yet to be included in models of parenting effort. In this research, we use secondary data to investigate the relationship between DHH and traits ostensibly opposed to status seeking (i.e., depressive symptoms). First-time fathers (n = 193) provided morning saliva samples 10 months following parturition and reported on the presence of depressive symptoms (BDI-II). Responses were decomposed into three factors: cognitive, affective, and somatic. Using hybrid latent variable structural equation modeling, we did not find evidence that T predicted variability in cognitive, affective, or somatic depressive symptom factors. We found a null effect for cortisol as well. Finally, we could not find evidence that the DHH variable (T × cortisol interaction) predicted any variability in cognitive, affective, or somatic depressive symptoms. While we did not find evidence to support our hypotheses using a secondary data set, this study contributes to research on the neuroendocrinology of depression in fathers. Discussion focuses on the limitations of sample demographics, timing of saliva and self-report collection, and the lack of extant theory specific to paternal postpartum depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Randy Corpuz
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cárdenas SI, Tse W, León G, Kim A, Tureson K, Lai M, Saxbe DE. Prenatal testosterone synchrony in first-time parents predicts fathers' postpartum relationship quality. Horm Behav 2023; 156:105440. [PMID: 37862979 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence that men's testosterone levels decline across the transition to fatherhood and that this decline may reflect fathers' investment in the new family. There is also emerging evidence that cohabiting couples show synchrony or within-couple associations in testosterone levels during the perinatal period. Hormonal synchrony may act as a mechanism that supports fathers' biological preparation for parenthood, perhaps by facilitating perinatal declines in paternal testosterone. However, few studies have examined testosterone synchrony and change within couples. A sample of 97 U.S. couples expecting their first child provided testosterone samples during pregnancy, and of those couples, 78 couples also provided testosterone at seven months postpartum. Couples reported on relationship satisfaction both at prenatal and postpartum visits. Bayesian multilevel modeling revealed within-couple testosterone synchrony both during pregnancy and postpartum. Testosterone synchrony during pregnancy predicted a greater drop in fathers' testosterone levels from prenatal to postpartum and higher paternal postpartum relationship quality. Fathers' lower prenatal testosterone levels also subsequently predicted higher self-reported postpartum relationship quality for both parents. In sum, this study finds that couples' testosterone levels show synchrony across the transition to parenthood in ways that are associated with couple relationship quality and men's neuroendocrine preparation for fatherhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia I Cárdenas
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, United States of America.
| | - Winnie Tse
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, United States of America
| | - Gabriel León
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, United States of America
| | - Alice Kim
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, United States of America
| | - Kayla Tureson
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, United States of America
| | - Mark Lai
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, United States of America
| | - Darby E Saxbe
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Constantinou E, Vlemincx E, Panayiotou G. Testing emotional response coherence assumptions: Comparing emotional versus non-emotional states. Psychophysiology 2023; 60:e14359. [PMID: 37282750 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Although central to theories of emotion, emotional response coherence, that is, coordination among various emotion response systems, has received inconsistent empirical support. This study tests a basic assumption of response coherence, that is, that it characterizes emotional states defining their beginning and end. To do so, we (a) compare response coherence between emotional versus non-emotional states and (b) examine how emotional coherence changes over time, before, during, and after an emotional episode. Seventy-nine participants viewed neutral, pleasant, and unpleasant film clips and rated continuously how pleasant they felt (experience) before (anticipation), during, and after (recovery) each clip. Autonomic physiological arousal responses (skin conductance level, heart rate; physiology) and facial expressions (corrugator, zygomatic activity; expression) were recorded. Within-person cross-correlations between all emotional response pairs were calculated for each phase. Analyses comparing coherence during emotional versus neutral film viewing showed that only experience-expression coherence was higher for emotional versus neutral films, indicating specificity for emotional states. Examining coherence across phases indicated that coherence increased from anticipation to emotional film viewing, as expected, for experience-expression and experience-physiology pairs (SCL only). Of those pairs, increased coherence returned to baseline during recovery, as theoretically assumed, only for experience-corrugator activity coherence. Current findings provide empirical support for theoretical views of response coherence as a defining feature of emotional episodes, but mostly for the coherence between experience and facial expressions. Further research needs to investigate the role of sympathetic arousal indices, as well as the role of response coherence in emotional recovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Constantinou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Elke Vlemincx
- Department of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Aviv EC, Preston EG, Waizman YH, Dews AA, Flores G, Saxbe DE. Fathers' subjective childbirth stress predicts depressive symptoms at six months postpartum. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:593-600. [PMID: 37459973 PMCID: PMC10923195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childbirth is a seminal experience in parents' lives. However, little research has investigated the link between fathers' birth experiences and their postpartum mental health. We hypothesized that a more subjectively stressful birth will predict greater self-reported depressive symptoms in fathers at six months postpartum. We also investigated the association between mode of delivery and paternal subjective stress. METHODS Seventy-seven heterosexual fathers expecting their first child and cohabiting with their pregnant partners participated in the study. Depressive symptoms were assessed in pregnancy and again at six months postpartum. Subjective birth stress was measured within the first few days of the birth, and birth charts were collected to examine mode of delivery. RESULTS Fathers' ratings of subjective birth stress significantly predicted postpartum depressive symptoms at six months postpartum. Subjective birth stress ratings varied significantly for fathers whose partners delivered via emergency cesarean section compared to those whose partners gave birth via both medicated and the unmedicated vaginal delivery. LIMITATIONS The study was limited by its small community (non-clinical) sample, which was restricted to heterosexual, cohabitating couples. Additionally, births were mostly uncomplicated and only 14 mothers underwent emergency cesarean section. CONCLUSION These findings highlight that the days immediately following childbirth are a window of opportunity for early intervention in new fathers at risk for postpartum depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Aviv
- University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Emma G Preston
- University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yael H Waizman
- University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Aridenne A Dews
- University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Genesis Flores
- University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Darby E Saxbe
- University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aviv EC, Cardenás SI, León G, Waizman YH, Gonzales C, Flores G, Martínez-García M, Saxbe DE. Prenatal prolactin predicts postnatal parenting attitudes and brain structure remodeling in first-time fathers. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 156:106332. [PMID: 37478587 PMCID: PMC10529357 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Despite the important contributions that fathers make to parenting, the neurobiological underpinnings of men's adaptation to parenthood are still not well understood. The current study focuses on prolactin, a hormone that has been extensively linked with reproduction, lactation, and parental behavior in mothers. There is preliminary evidence that prolactin may also reflect the transition to sensitive fatherhood. We sampled prolactin in 91 first-time expectant fathers who participated in a laboratory visit along with their pregnant partners. Fathers' prolactin levels were correlated with their partners' prolactin levels. Men's prolactin levels during their partner's pregnancy were associated with their self-reported antenatal bonding to the unborn infant. Prenatal prolactin levels in fathers also predicted more positive attitudes toward fatherhood at three months postpartum, including lower parenting stress, greater enjoyment of the infant, and a more attunement-oriented parenting style. Within a smaller sample of 32 men who participated in MRI scanning before and after their child's birth, prenatal prolactin also predicted greater reductions in grey matter volume in the left posterior cingulate, left insula, and left nucleus accumbens. In conclusion, men's prenatal prolactin may reflect their perceptions of fatherhood and changes to their perinatal brain structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Aviv
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Sofia I Cardenás
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel León
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yael H Waizman
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cassin Gonzales
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Genesis Flores
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Magdalena Martínez-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; CIBER de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Darby E Saxbe
- University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Çankaya S, Buran G. The effects of dyadic coping strategies and dyadic conflict resolution styles on postpartum depression of mothers in heterosexual marriages in Turkey. Bull Menninger Clin 2023; 87:63-82. [PMID: 36856475 DOI: 10.1521/bumc.2023.87.1.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The authors of this study aimed to determine the effects of coping strategies and conflict resolution styles on postpartum depression in heterosexual mothers in the postpartum period in Turkey. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 369 mothers with babies aged 1-12 months. The study was carried out between October 1, 2021, and December 1, 2021, in the pediatric outpatient clinic of the Medical Faculty Hospital of a province in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. Seventy-four (20.1%) mothers had scores above the depression scale cu-off point (>13). Having problems in marriage, getting a low score on the spouse's self-perception scale of dyadic coping with stress, and having negative, nonsubmissive, and retreating conflict resolution styles were found to be important factors associated with postpartum depression (p < .05). The incidence of postpartum depression was found to be associated with having problems in the marriage, not having good dyadic coping strategies, and having negative conflict resolution styles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyhan Çankaya
- Assistant Professor in the Midwifery Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Gonca Buran
- Lecturer in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cardenas SI, Morris AR, Marshall N, Aviv EC, Martínez García M, Sellery P, Saxbe DE. Fathers matter from the start: The role of expectant fathers in child development. CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/cdep.12436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia I. Cardenas
- Department of Psychology University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
| | - Alyssa R. Morris
- Department of Psychology University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
| | - Narcis Marshall
- Department of Psychology University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
| | - Elizabeth C. Aviv
- Department of Psychology University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
| | - Magdalena Martínez García
- Group of Neuroimaging Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón Madrid Spain
- CIBERSAM Madrid Spain
| | - Pia Sellery
- Department of Psychology University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
| | - Darby E. Saxbe
- Department of Psychology University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Clephane K, Lorenz TK. Putative Mental, Physical, and Social Mechanisms of Hormonal Influences on Postpartum Sexuality. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2021; 13:136-148. [PMID: 35707497 PMCID: PMC9191849 DOI: 10.1007/s11930-021-00321-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Much research has documented changes in postpartum sexuality, including changes in sexual functioning and satisfaction for both the birthing parent and their partner(s). These changes are often linked to postpartum changes in hormonal and immune responses, which can have both direct and indirect effects on sexuality. Recent Findings Here, we review how postpartum sexuality may be changed via mental, physical, and social/relationship effects of a variety of hormones, including estrogens, progestogens, androgens, cortisol, and oxytocin. We also review the ways in which inflammation may act alongside hormones to influence postpartum sexuality. Summary We argue that, as each of these factors strongly influence the action of others, the next phase of research in postpartum sexuality must examine the bidirectional interactions of hormones and their effects on behavior, cognition, and social relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin Clephane
- Department of Psychology & Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Stadium East C69, Lincoln, NE 68588-0156, USA
| | - Tierney K. Lorenz
- Department of Psychology & Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Stadium East C69, Lincoln, NE 68588-0156, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lougheed JP, Vlisides-Henry RD, Crowell SE. Advancing models and methods of emotional concordance. Biol Psychol 2021; 162:108112. [PMID: 33961930 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Emotional concordance refers to dynamic coordination of two or more components of the emotion system in response to environmental demands. Concordance can occur within a person (e.g., sympathetic arousal with a fearful expression) and between persons (e.g., similar emotional expressions in couples). This introduction to the 2021 special issue examines current models and methods of concordance. First, we highlight how emotion researchers have begun to focus on concordance across a range of populations and contexts. Second, we note concordance research benefits from examination of multiple emotion systems simultaneously (within- and/or between-persons), resulting in a multivariate time series. Finally, we describe recent efforts to understand the functional (e.g., health-related) consequences of concordance. The articles in this special issue collectively point toward exciting new directions in examining whether and when concordance occurs, and how it varies by individual differences, context, and measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P Lougheed
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Canada.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|