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Nóblega M, Retiz O, Nuñez del Prado J, Bartra R. Maternal Stress Mediates Association of Infant Socioemotional Development with Perinatal Mental Health in Socioeconomically Vulnerable Peruvian Settings. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:844. [PMID: 39063421 PMCID: PMC11276598 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21070844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Increased maternal mental health during the perinatal period has been widely associated with a variety of positive outcomes for both mothers and infants. However, no studies in Peru have yet focused on studying maternal mental health and related psychological variables during this stage. Thus, the aim of this study was to test a model to associate a mother's parental stress with infant socioemotional difficulties and maternal mental health. The sample included 988 mothers of infants aged 6 to 18 months from Peru, all from socioeconomically vulnerable settings. The findings showed that infant socioemotional difficulties were associated with poorer maternal mental health through the mother's parental stress (χ2(7) = 28.89, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.03). These results provide a better understanding of the key elements associated with maternal mental health during the perinatal period in Peru and offer valuable insights for developing interventions and support strategies for socioeconomically vulnerable mothers and their young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magaly Nóblega
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima 15088, Peru; (O.R.); (J.N.d.P.); (R.B.)
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Price AMH, Measey MA, Hoq M, Rhodes A, Goldfeld S. Caregiver and Child Mental Health During 3 Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023064658. [PMID: 38695088 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-064658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdowns (stay-at-home orders) had significant mental health consequences in 2020 to 2021 for caregivers and children. Little is known about "postlockdown" periods in 2022 to 2023. We investigated the mental health experiences of Australian families throughout the 3 years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023), by demographic characteristics and lockdown length. METHODS A total N = 12 408 caregivers (N = 20 339 children, aged 0-17 years) completed Australia's only representative, repeated, cross-sectional, National Child Health Poll across 6 waves (June 2020-April 2023). Caregivers reported mental health for themselves (Kessler-6, poor versus not) and each child (self-rated mental health, poor/fair versus good/very good/excellent), and perceived impacts of the pandemic on own/child mental health (negative versus none/positive). Binary logistic models were fitted to predict marginal probabilities of each mental health measure by state/territory group (proxy for lockdown length), over time, adjusted for potential demographic confounders. RESULTS Poor caregiver Kessler-6 was similar between genders but more common for sole caregivers, and those with a home language other than English and lower education. Poor/fair child self-rated mental health was similar between genders and increased with child age. Perceived negative impacts were more common for females and socially advantaged caregivers. Overall, negative mental health experiences increased with lockdown length, peaking with the height of lockdown in July 2021, before declining. CONCLUSIONS Negative mental health experiences of Australian caregivers and children decreased during postlockdown periods of 2022-2023; however, social gradients persisted. These data can inform more precise mental health policies that enable better use of limited mental health infrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M H Price
- Centre for Community Child Health
- Population Health
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Monsurul Hoq
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthea Rhodes
- Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Population Health
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sharon Goldfeld
- Centre for Community Child Health
- Population Health
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Chen C, Mochizuki Y, Okawa S, Okubo R, Nakagawa S, Tabuchi T. Postpartum loneliness predicts future depressive symptoms: a nationwide Japanese longitudinal study. Arch Womens Ment Health 2024; 27:447-457. [PMID: 38279068 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-024-01424-6] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified feelings of loneliness, especially among postpartum women. This nationwide Japanese longitudinal study assessed the impact of such feelings on depressive symptoms and mother-to-infant bonding difficulties (MIBD), two pivotal determinants of maternal and infant well-being. METHODS Starting with a baseline survey conducted between July and August 2021, we tracked 1254 postpartum Japanese women who initially reported minimal depressive symptoms (i.e., Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale < 9) and MIBD (i.e., Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale < 5), over a follow-up period of approximately 6 months. Baseline loneliness was evaluated with the UCLA Loneliness Scale Short-Form (UCLA-LS3-SF3). RESULTS Forty-nine percent of the sample reported the presence of baseline feelings of loneliness. After propensity score matching on sociodemographics and various pregnancy, childbirth, and COVID-19-related aspects, baseline loneliness was associated with increased risks of later depressive symptoms but not MIBD. Using restricted cubic spline logistic regression and considering loneliness as a continuous variable, we found a positive increasing quadratic relationship with depressive symptoms. As loneliness increased, so did the risk of later depressive symptoms. However, there was no significant association between loneliness and MIBD. These results were confirmed through a sensitivity analysis using inverse probability weighting to address attrition bias. CONCLUSION Feelings of postpartum loneliness are associated with future risks of depressive symptoms. The data suggests that addressing loneliness in postpartum women early is crucial to safeguarding their well-being and that of their infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chen
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
| | | | - Sumiyo Okawa
- Institute for Global Health Policy Research, Bureau of International Health Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryo Okubo
- Department of Psychiatry, National Hospital Organization Obihiro Hospital, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Shin Nakagawa
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tabuchi
- Cancer Control Center, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
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Schindler M, Neely E. Venturing outside: Local journeying, belonging and new parenthood. Health Place 2024; 87:103261. [PMID: 38701676 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103261] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The transition to parenthood is a transformative journey marked by numerous adjustments, presenting both physical and mental health challenges. Recognising the crucial role of a sense of belonging for parental health in this transition, this study delves into the experiences of new parents, exploring the act of "journeying" within their local geographies. Through analysis of an online survey among new parents in suburban Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, this study highlights the multifaceted role of journeying, not only as physical movement but as a slow-creeping transformative process that affects connections with local environments, people, and places, highlighting the importance of local geographies in new parents' journey towards belonging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam Schindler
- Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Eva Neely
- Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
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Kyono Y, Nishiyama M, Kawamura A, Oikawa S, Tokumoto S, Yamaguchi H, Tomioka K, Nozu K, Mishina H, Nagase H. Association of perinatal factors with neurodevelopmental referrals in a population-based cohort study in Japan. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3492. [PMID: 38347064 PMCID: PMC10861581 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54167-w] [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: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the causes of neurodevelopmental disorders remain unknown, several environmental risk factors have attracted considerable attention. We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort study using data from infant health examinations of children born to mothers with pregnancies between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2016 in Kobe City to identify the perinatal factors associated with neurodevelopmental referrals in 3-year-old children. There were 15,223 and 1283 children in the normal and referral groups, respectively. Neurodevelopmental referrals at the health checkup for 3-year-old children were significantly associated with the lack of social support during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.99, 99% CI 1.14-3.45, p = 0.001), history of psychiatric consultation (aOR 1.56, 99% CI 1.10-2.22, p = 0.001), no social assistance post-delivery (aOR 1.49, 99% CI 1.03-2.16, p = 0.006), Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥ 9 (aOR 1.36, 99% CI 1.01-1.84, p = 0.008), infant gender (male) (aOR 2.51, 99% CI 2.05-3.06, p < 0.001), and cesarean delivery (aOR 1.39, 99% CI 1.11-1.75, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this exploratory study in the general Japanese population identified six perinatal factors associated with neurodevelopmental referrals in 3-year-old children: infant gender (male), cesarean section, maternal history of psychiatric consultation, EPDS score ≥ 9, lack of social support during pregnancy, and no social assistance post-delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kyono
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nishiyama
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
- Department of Neurology, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan.
| | - Aoi Kawamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Shizuka Oikawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Shoichi Tokumoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yamaguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Kazumi Tomioka
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Kandai Nozu
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | | | - Hiroaki Nagase
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
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Nomura S, Kisugi N, Endo K, Omori T. Parental loneliness, perceptions of parenting, and psychosocial factors among parents having new children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Glob Health Med 2023; 5:158-168. [PMID: 37397952 PMCID: PMC10311677 DOI: 10.35772/ghm.2023.01033] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Individuals who had new children during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic became parents in challenging situations, starting from pregnancy and continuing to after birth. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of parental loneliness, perceptions of parenting, and psychosocial factors among parents having new children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants comprised a first-child group (523 parents; those who had their first child) and a second-child group (621 parents; those who had their second or subsequent child). We used web-based questionnaires to explore parental loneliness, perceptions of parenting, and psychosocial factors (distress, parental burnout, well-being, marital satisfaction, and social isolation). Participants answered the questionnaires in November 2022, during the eighth COVID-19 wave in Japan. We compared the groups and subgroups according to parental sex and determined the relationship between variables. The parents in the first-child group felt lonelier than the parents in the second-child group (p < 0.05), and their loneliness was correlated with psychosocial factors. Significantly, more mothers in the second-child group answered "agree" to negative perceptions of parenting than mothers in the first-child group. Additionally, parenting difficulties were correlated with a negative perception of parenting and parental burnout in both groups. Furthermore, providing parental support may improve parenting and promote parents' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Nomura
- Department of Child Nursing, National College of Nursing, Japan, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Namiko Kisugi
- Department of Child Nursing, National College of Nursing, Japan, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazue Endo
- Department of Child Nursing, National College of Nursing, Japan, Tokyo, Japan
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Jin Y, Murray L. Perinatal mental health and women's lived experience of the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of the qualitative literature 2020-2021. Midwifery 2023; 123:103706. [PMID: 37167674 PMCID: PMC10150412 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in global physical distancing restrictions and lockdown orders. Despite the clear documentation of increased mental distress amongst adult populations during the pandemic, there is limited evidence about the mental health challenges of people in the perinatal period (pregnancy, birth and postpartum). The aim of this review is to summarise the qualitative research about women's lived experience and emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A comprehensive search strategy was developed. Twenty peer-reviewed qualitative research articles published in English from January 1, 2020, to December 15, 2021, were included. Data synthesis outlined the evidence from common themes in a narrative format. RESULTS Themes during pregnancy included: (1) information seeking: anxiety and fear; (2) experiencing isolation and disruptions to my social support; (3) 'Going it alone' in pregnancy care; (4) anticipatory grieving and despair; (5) finding 'silver linings' in social restrictions. One key theme during birth was "birthing in a crisis". Themes during postpartum included: (1) isolating 'Early motherhood is much like lockdown'; (2) breastfeeding: triumphs and tribulations; (3) facing disruptions during postpartum care; (4) 'Affecting us for years to come' - COVID-19 was not the only trauma; (5) 'silver linings' during postpartum care. CONCLUSIONS This review provides important insights into how experiences of isolation, decreased social support and adaptions to maternity services affect women's mental health. Maternity services should consider how perinatal mental health support may be integrated into the care of women who may still be required to isolate or have reduced visitors during their perinatal care. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The restrictions and disruptions to maternity care due to the COVID-19 pandemic were likely to impact the mental health of women in the perinatal period (pregnancy, birth and postpartum). What is already known is that public health measures due to COVID-19 increased the prevalence of common perinatal mental disorders (CPMDs) and exacerbated common risk factors for CPMDs (i.e., poor social support). WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS The qualitative research with women in the perinatal period during the pandemic provides unique insights into how these events impacted perinatal mental and emotional health. In particular, the ways that global physical distancing measures and maternity care adaptations contributed to women's feelings of distress, isolation, and depression/despair. Silver linings such as more uninterrupted time with immediate family were also identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Jin
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
| | - Linda Murray
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
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