Mother's marital satisfaction associated with the quality of mother-father-child triadic interaction

[Representations of co-parenthood among primiparous and multiparous fathers-to-be]

From the moment they become pregnant, future parents anticipate how they will coordinate, support and divide the tasks related to their child. This is known as co-parenting. Research carried out in three french gynaecology-obstetrics departments and in social network examined fathers' perceptions of co-parenthood and sought to determine whether these were in line with scientific conceptions of the concept.

Relationships between parent-infant bonding, dyadic adjustment and quality of life, in an intra-partner sample

The transition to parenthood represents a moment of change and adaptation in which the dyadic marital relationship becomes a triadic relationship. Facilitating a positive transition requires a thorough understanding of the explanatory model of the relationship between parental-infant bonding, dyadic adjustment and quality of life (QoL) from an integrative perspective of the family unit. The aim of this work was to analyse the relationships between parent-infant bonding, dyadic adjustment and QoL from an intra-partner perspective, 6-12 months after the birth of a child. A cross-sectional observational study was performed in a convenience sample of 222 couples 6-12 months postpartum, enrolled from October 2013 to March 2016. The mean age of the mothers was 34.07 years (SD = 3.67), and for the fathers, it was 35.75 years (SD = 4.02). Mothers perceived better QoL and greater mother-infant bonding compared to fathers. The perception of an adequate dyadic adjustment, together with positive parent-infant bonding, had positively influenced the individual QoL of both members of the couple 6-12 months after birth. From an intra-partner perspective, the positive transition was influenced by the relationship between parent-infant bonding, dyadic adjustment and QoL. Positive parent-infant bonding in mothers and fathers, as well as promotion of the quality of the relationships between couples, can help promote a better QoL. Positive health results can be achieved in terms of individual and family well-being by designing healthcare interventions that encourage the presence and participation of the family unit.

Maternal History of Adverse Experiences and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Impact Toddlers’ Early Socioemotional Wellbeing: The Benefits of Infant Mental Health-Home Visiting

Background

The present study examined the efficacy of the Michigan Model of Infant Mental Health-Home Visiting (IMH-HV) infant mental health treatment to promote the socioemotional wellbeing of infants and young children. Science illuminates the role of parental “co-regulation” of infant emotion as a pathway to young children’s capacity for self-regulation. The synchrony of parent–infant interaction begins to shape the infant’s own nascent regulatory capacities. Parents with a history of childhood adversity, such as maltreatment or witnessing family violence, and who struggle with symptoms of post-traumatic stress may have greater challenges in co-regulating their infant, thus increasing the risk of their children exhibiting social and emotional problems such as anxiety, aggression, and depression. Early intervention that targets the infant–parent relationship may help buffer the effect of parental risk on child outcomes.

Methods

Participants were 58 mother–infant/toddler dyads enrolled in a longitudinal randomized control trial testing the efficacy of the relationship-based IMH-HV treatment model. Families were eligible based on child age (<24 months at enrollment) and endorsement of at least two of four socio-demographic factors commonly endorsed in community mental health settings: elevated depression symptoms, three or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) parenting stress, and/or child behavior or development concerns. This study included dyads whose children were born at the time of study enrollment and completed 12-month post-baseline follow-up visits. Parents reported on their own history of ACEs and current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as well as their toddler’s socioemotional development (e.g., empathy, prosocial skills, aggression, anxiety, prolonged tantrums).

Results

Maternal ACEs predicted more toddler emotional problems through their effect on maternal PTSD symptoms. Parents who received IMH-HV treatment reported more positive toddler socioemotional wellbeing at follow-up relative to the control condition. The most positive socioemotional outcomes were for toddlers of mothers with low to moderate PTSD symptoms who received IMH-HV treatment.

Conclusion

Results indicate the efficacy of IMH-HV services in promoting more optimal child socioemotional wellbeing even when mothers reported mild to moderate PTSD symptoms. Results also highlight the need to assess parental trauma when infants and young children present with socioemotional difficulties.

Psychological Well-Being, Marital Satisfaction, and Parental Burnout in Iranian Parents: The Effect of Home Quarantine During COVID-19 Outbreaks

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as an infectious disease, is now prevalent in many countries around the world, which has recently led many governments to home quarantine and impose penalties for violating quarantine. Concerns and stress caused by lockdown and social isolation led to personal and interactive reactions in some families, which are also culturally important to address. This study was administrated to study the psychological well-being and the effect of home quarantine on marital satisfaction (MS) and parental burnout (PB) from parenting responsibilities during the prevalence of COVID-19 in Iranian parents. A total of 213 parents (140 mothers and 73 fathers) voluntarily participated in the online survey in the period of February to mid-April 2020 and completed the 5-item index of the well-being of the World Health Organization (WHO-5), the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS), and the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA). The results showed that the effect of home quarantine on MS and PB was not significant in parents (p > 0.01). The interactive effect of home quarantine and gender was not significant on MS and PB (p > 0.01). In addition, the mothers significantly reported higher PB than the fathers, but the fathers had higher scores in MS and psychological well-being (p < 0.01). The effect of some demographic factors on the studied variables was also significant. Supportive resources in family-based culture may play an essential role to reduce the negative effects of stressful situations on family interactions.

Longitudinal Study of Dyadic Adjustment in a Sample of Spanish Fathers

The objectives of this study were to examine the evolution of fathers’ long-term dyadic adjustment after the birth of a child and to analyze their evolution considering related factors. A total of 113 Spanish fathers with a mean age of 35.72 years (SD = 3.84 years) participated. In general, there was a decline in the dyadic adjustment of the fathers until 6–12 months after childbirth, after which their level of adjustment remained stable until 13–24 months. We observed different patterns when analyzing the evolution by subgroups formed based on these different variables, previous experience of paternity, and anxiety. The intrinsic differences between fathers should also be considered because these differences can influence the way in which men face the parental process as well as the evolution of the quality of their relationship with their partner.

The predictive role of marital satisfaction on the parental agreement

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive role of marital satisfaction on similarities in parenting styles.

Design

The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 617 Iranian father-mother dyads in 2018.

Methods

During a systematic sampling method, Afrooz Marital Satisfaction Scale and Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire were administered. The data were analysed using a t test, a chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and logistic regression.

Results

Results showed that 71.47% of the couples exhibited agreement in parenting styles and that 82.50% reared their children in an authoritative manner. The logistic regression indicated that increased marital satisfaction among fathers (AOR: 3.19; CI: 2.06, 4.92) and mothers (AOR: 2.74; CI: 1.76, 4.25) could elevate the odds of correspondence in parenting styles. The findings suggest that agreement on parenting styles should be considered when evaluating marital satisfaction in couples. Intervention targeting marital satisfaction to improve parental agreement is recommended.

Psychofunctional symptoms in infants of young mothers: Association with maternal mental health and parental bonding

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the presence of psychofunctional symptoms (PFS) in infants of young mothers from southern Brazil and to examine the association of those symptoms with indicators of maternal mental health and maternal perception of marital adjustment, family support, and quality of parental bonding.

METHODS

A quantitative, cross-sectional study of descriptive and correlational nature was conducted using a convenience sample of 71 young mother-infant dyads. The following instruments were administered: Sociodemographic Data and Clinical Data Forms, Symptom Check-List (SCL), Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus (MINI-Plus), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and Perception of Family Support Inventory (IPSF). Spearman and Kruskal-Wallis correlation analyses and multiple linear regression were performed to identify explanatory variables of PFS in infants.

RESULTS

39.4% of infants had some PFS, and those related to behavior were most prevalent (e.g. fear, separation anxiety). Maternal depressive symptoms (EPDS; -0.74) and perception of quality of paternal care (PBI; -0.29) explained that type of symptom in infants (adjusted R² = 0.15; p < 0.05). In regression analysis, major depressive episode (MINI-Plus) and depressive symptoms (BDI-II) were explanatory variables of feeding (2.19; adjusted R² = 0.06; p < 0.05) (e.g., do not accept certain food types) and digestion symptoms (0.04; adjusted R² = 0.05; p < 0.01) (e.g., diarrhea or constipation). Finally, perception of quality of maternal care explained allergy symptoms (-0.06; adjusted R² = 0.12; p < 0.05) (e.g. rhinitis, certain foods).

CONCLUSION

A comprehensive assessment of physical symptoms in infants of young mothers is needed, focusing on maternal mental health, especially depression, and family relationships.

Prenatal Maternal Psychological Distress and Offspring Risk for Recurrent Respiratory Infections

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relation between maternal prenatal psychological distress, comprising depression and anxiety symptoms and relationship quality, and the risk of recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) in children up to 2 years of age. Children with RRIs frequently use health care services and antibiotics. Prenatal maternal psychological distress can be one, previously unidentified risk factor for RRIs.

STUDY DESIGN

The study population was drawn from a population-based pregnancy cohort in Finland (www.finnbrain.fi). Children with RRIs (n = 204) and a comparison group (n = 1014) were identified by maternal reports at the child age of 12 or 24 months. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Symptom Checklist-90 anxiety subscale, the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised 2, and the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale were used to assess maternal symptoms and parental relationship quality at 34 weeks of gestation. Adjustment for maternal postnatal depressive and anxiety symptoms was performed.

RESULTS

Maternal prenatal Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.08-1.44), Symptom Checklist-90/Anxiety (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.01-1.76), Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised 2 (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.11-1.47), and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.01-1.58) total sum scores were associated with child RRIs by the age of 24 months. Greater number of siblings, shorter duration of breastfeeding, and the level of maternal education were also identified as risk factors for child RRIs.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal prenatal psychological distress is linked with a higher risk for child RRIs.