Prenatal negative affectivity and trauma-related distress predict mindful parenting during toddler age: Examining parent-infant bonding as a mechanism

Risk for trauma-related distress following difficult childbirth: Trajectories of traumatic intrusions across 2 years postpartum

There is heightened risk for maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the perinatal period. However, it is unclear whether pregnancy and childbirth uniquely contribute to PTSD symptoms above and beyond elevations in negative affectivity that commonly occur among postpartum women (e.g., irritability, fatigue, depressed mood) and past trauma exposure. The present study explored the associations between childbirth stressors and trauma-related distress (TRD; intrusion and avoidance symptoms) across the 2 years following childbirth in a community sample of women (n = 159). Maternal TRD was assessed at pregnancy and four additional timepoints across 2 years postpartum. At pregnancy, mothers completed surveys measuring exposure to trauma and pregnancy-related anxiety. They also reported on pregnancy and childbirth complications across the first 6 months postpartum. Consistent with predictions, labor/delivery complications uniquely predicted increased maternal intrusions during the first 6 months postpartum above and beyond past trauma exposure. Furthermore, growth mixture models identified a subset of women with intrusion symptoms that persisted up to 2 years postpartum and, on average, exceeded the screening threshold for PTSD. Women who experienced greater labor complications were more likely to exhibit this clinical profile relative to low, stable symptoms. Findings highlight the importance of ongoing screening for TRD across the first 2 years postpartum, particularly among women who experience greater labor/delivery complications.

Psychological and Physical Intimate Partner Aggression Are Associated with Broad and Specific Internalizing Symptoms during Pregnancy

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has serious consequences, particularly during high-risk periods such as pregnancy, which poses a significant risk to maternal mental health. However, it is unclear whether IPV presents a broad risk for psychopathology or is specific to distinct diagnoses or symptom dimensions (e.g., panic, social anxiety). Further, the relative impact of physical versus psychological aggression remains unclear. Methods: One hundred and fifty-nine pregnant couples completed surveys assessing psychological and physical intimate partner aggression unfolding in the couple relationship, as well as a range of internalizing symptoms. Results: Psychological and physical aggression were each associated with broad negative affectivity, which underlies mood and anxiety disorders; however, only psychological aggression demonstrated a unique association. Further, for pregnant women, aggression was uniquely associated with several symptom dimensions characteristic of PTSD. In contrast, men demonstrated a relatively heterogeneous symptom presentation in relation to aggression. Conclusion: The present study identifies unique symptom manifestations associated with IPV for couples navigating pregnancy and suggests psychological aggression can be more detrimental to mental health than physical aggression. To promote maternal perinatal mental health, clinicians should screen for covert forms of psychological aggression during pregnancy (e.g., raised voices, insults), trauma-related distress, and symptom elevations in women and their partners.