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Alptekin FB, Sucularlı E, Turgal E, Burhan HŞ, Güçlü O. Reducing the stress of mothers in the postpartum period: psychological inflexibility or mother-infant bonding. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38899761 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2024.2369578] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parental stress is a critical problem because it affects both the mental health of the mother and children's development. In addition to many factors related to birth and marriage, mother - infant bonding and psychological inflexibility are essential factors that can affect stress. In this study, we examined the effects of the psychological processes of mothers and factors related to pregnancy, mother, environment on parental stress, and their relationships. METHODS A sociodemographic variables scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, and Parental Stress Scale were completed by 115 mothers in their first postpartum year. The model created with the correlation and regression results was subjected to path analysis. RESULTS Breastfeeding, psychological inflexibility, and mother - infant bonding are related to parental stress. The bonding problem is the mediator of the relationship between psychological inflexibility and parental stress. The entire effect of sleep quality on parental stress occurred through psychological inflexibility. CONCLUSION Efforts should be directed towards improving the bond between the mother and infant and enhancing the mother's psychological flexibility to lessen the negative impacts of stress. Breastfeeding should not be treated categorically, and its potential adverse effects should not be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eylül Sucularlı
- Department of Psychiatry, Başakşehir Çam ve Sakura City Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Ebru Turgal
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Şehit Burhan
- Department of Psychiatry, Başakşehir Çam ve Sakura City Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Oya Güçlü
- Department of Psychiatry, Başakşehir Çam ve Sakura City Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
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Ganho-Ávila A, Sobral M, Berg MLVD. Transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation in reducing depressive symptoms during the peripartum period. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2024:00001504-990000000-00131. [PMID: 38994808 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW To present the latest data on the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in peripartum depression (PPD), complemented by notes emerging from our clinical and research experience. RECENT FINDINGS TMS and tDCS show promising results to manage mild to moderate depressive symptoms in the peripartum period. Evidence of TMS efficacy during pregnancy and the postpartum comes from two small randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with encouraging but still inconsistent results. Evidence of tDCS efficacy during pregnancy comes from one small RCT and in the postpartum the first RCT is just now being conducted and results are highly expected. The safety profile (with transient mild adverse effect to women and no known risk to the foetus/newborn) and acceptability by women seems overall good. However, the perspectives from health professionals and managers are unclear. SUMMARY Whereas TMS accelerated protocols (e.g., more than one session/day) and shorter sessions (e.g., theta burst stimulation) could address the need for fast results in PPD, home-based tDCS systems could address accessibility issues. Currently, the evidence on the efficacy of TMS and tDCS in PPD is limited warranting further research to support stronger evidence-based clinical guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ganho-Ávila
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra (Portugal), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mónica Sobral
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra (Portugal), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mijke Lambregtse-van den Berg
- Departments of Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Wu WR, Lee LC, Hung CH, Huang HC. The mediating effect of pregnancy adaptation between family support and maternal-fetal bonding: a cross-sectional study. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:350. [PMID: 38789999 PMCID: PMC11127304 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02009-5] [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: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Establishing a nurturing bond with the unborn child is essential for expectant mothers throughout pregnancy. While the influence of family support and pregnancy adaptation on maternal-fetal bonding is evident, these factors remain unexplored in the early stages of pregnancy. This study aims to elucidate the dynamic interaction between family support, pregnancy adaptation, and maternal-fetal bonding during the first trimester, explicitly investigating the mediating role of pregnancy adaptation. METHOD A cross-sectional design was conducted to recruit expectant mothers between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation without significant complications. RESULTS Family support and pregnancy adaptation emerged as significant predictors of maternal-fetal bonding, and pregnancy adaptation mediated the relationship between family support and maternal-fetal bonding in the first trimester. CONCLUSIONS The study confirms the critical role of family support and pregnancy adaptation in facilitating maternal-fetal bonding during early pregnancy, with pregnancy adaptation fully mediating this relationship. Healthcare providers are encouraged to involve family members in early interventions, focusing on assessing family support and engaging them in education and activities to strengthen the emotional bond between the mother and her unborn child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Ru Wu
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chun Lee
- Department of Nursing, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Hui-Chuan Huang
- School of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Becker E, Atkinson L, Gonzalez A, Khoury J. Social support buffers the impact of pregnancy stress on perceptions of parent-infant closeness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infant Ment Health J 2024; 45:328-340. [PMID: 38196240 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.22096] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Pregnant individuals and parents have experienced elevated mental health problems and stress during COVID-19. Stress during pregnancy can be harmful to the fetus and detrimental to the parent-child relationship. However, social support is known to act as a protective factor, buffering against the adverse effects of stress. The present study examined whether (1) prenatal stress during COVID-19 was associated with parent-infant closeness at 6 months postpartum, and (2) social support moderated the effect of prenatal stress on the parent-infant relationship. In total, 181 participants completed questionnaires during pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to assess whether social support moderated the effect of stress during pregnancy on parent-infant closeness at 6 months postpartum. Results indicated a significant interaction between prenatal stress and social support on parents' perceptions of closeness with their infants at 6 months postpartum (β = .805, p = .029); parents who experienced high prenatal stress with high social support reported greater parent-infant closeness, compared to those who reported high levels of stress and low social support. Findings underscore the importance of social support in protecting the parent-infant relationship, particularly in times of high stress, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Becker
- Department of Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Leslie Atkinson
- Department of Psychology, Metropolitan Toronto University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Khoury
- Department of Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Boekhorst MGBM, de Waal N, Smit L, Hulsbosch LP, van den Heuvel MI, Schwabe I, Pop V, Nyklíček I. A longitudinal study on the association between trait mindfulness and maternal bonding across the perinatal period. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38655861 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2024.2342904] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
AIMS/BACKGROUND The mother-to-infant is important for healthy child development. The current study focused on the association between maternal trait mindfulness and the course of maternal bonding from pregnancy to one year postpartum. DESIGN/METHODS Women participating in a prospective perinatal cohort study (n = 1003) completed online questionnaires on maternal bonding (Pre- and Post-natal Bonding Scale) at 28 weeks of pregnancy, and at 8 weeks, 6 months and 12 months postpartum. At 20 weeks of pregnancy, women completed the Three Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire - Short Form. Multilevel analyses were used to analyse 1) changes in maternal bonding over time and 2) the relationship of these changes with different facets of trait mindfulness measured once during pregnancy. Demographics, obstetrics, and depressive symptoms were controlled for. RESULTS Results showed that maternal bonding first increased from pregnancy to 8 weeks postpartum and then remained relatively stable throughout the first-year postpartum. On average, women with high scores on acting with awareness and non-judging also scored higher on maternal bonding, but demonstrated a smaller increase in maternal bonding scores over time when compared to women with medium and low scores on these mindfulness facets. Furthermore, non-reacting was also positively associated with the level of maternal bonding but was not related to the course of bonding over time. The main effects of non-reacting and non-judging were not significant after adjusting for covariates. Depressive symptoms and a high educational level were negatively associated with bonding. CONCLUSION Mindfulness-based interventions may be helpful in supporting expectant mothers who are at risk for suboptimal bonding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrthe G B M Boekhorst
- Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic Disorders (CoRPS), Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Noor de Waal
- Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic Disorders (CoRPS), Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Lisanne Smit
- Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic Disorders (CoRPS), Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne P Hulsbosch
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | | | - Inga Schwabe
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Victor Pop
- Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic Disorders (CoRPS), Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Ivan Nyklíček
- Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic Disorders (CoRPS), Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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de Waal N, van den Heuvel MI, Nyklíček I, Pop VJM, Boekhorst MGBM. Paternal bonding in pregnancy and early parenthood: a qualitative study in first-time fathers. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2023:1-16. [PMID: 37650726 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2023.2252890] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The birth of an infant marks a period of profound change in first-time parents. Parental love and warmth, however, already begin to develop during pregnancy. Also for fathers, the development of bonding to the infant may be a unique process. The current qualitative study aimed to explore views and experiences of first-time fathers on the origins and development of paternal bonding during pregnancy and early childhood. In total, 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with expectant fathers (second or third trimester of pregnancy; n = 10) and fathers of infants (0-6 months postpartum; n = 11) and toddlers (2-3 years of age; n = 9). Two major themes were uncovered from the data: feelings of bonding and facilitators of bonding. The first theme was supported with three subthemes: 1) from abstract to concrete, 2) positive emotions, and 3) uncertainties and worries. The second theme, facilitators of bonding, was supported with four subthemes: 1) experiencing the foetus, 2) meeting the child, 3) interaction, and 4) communication. Similar to previous studies, our results suggested that, in most fathers, paternal bonding originates in pregnancy and that it evolves over time. Seeing or feeling the child, both during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as interacting or communicating with the child, appears to facilitate fathers' feelings of bonding. Involving fathers in pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting may be essential for their bonding process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor de Waal
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | | | - Ivan Nyklíček
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Victor J M Pop
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
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