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Berthelot N, Larouche K, Garon-Bissonnette J, Deschênes K, Drouin-Maziade C, Lemieux R. Spillover effects on the relationship with the partner of a mentalization-based intervention for pregnant women. Infant Ment Health J 2024; 45:369-381. [PMID: 38598747 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.22113] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The birth of a child has been associated with a decline in couple satisfaction, which has implications for the child's social-emotional development. This study investigated the potential spillover effect on pregnant women's perceptions of their relationships with their partners of the Supporting the Transition to and Engagement in Parenthood (STEP) program, a brief trauma-informed mentalization-based prenatal group intervention. Participants (94% White) were recruited in prenatal clinics and through online advertisements in Quebec, Canada. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from participants assigned to the STEP program (n = 42) and those receiving treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 125). Women participating in STEP reported significant improvements in their relationships with their partners compared to those assigned to TAU. More precisely, they reported higher couple satisfaction, enhanced communication, and increased interest in their partners' emotional experience. The qualitative analysis further substantiated these results, with participants reporting having involved their partners in their pregnancy, shared their insights about themselves with their partners and gained fresh perspectives on their relationships. Participants in STEP also expressed sharing program materials with their partners and considered that such interventions should be extended to expecting fathers. This study underscores the potential of mentalization-based interventions to indirectly contribute to couple relationships, which may have positive implications for parenting and the infant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
| | - Karl Larouche
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kim Deschênes
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christine Drouin-Maziade
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
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Kılıç S, Can R, Yilmaz SD. Spousal support and dyadic adjustment in the early postpartum period. Women Health 2024; 64:121-130. [PMID: 38221674 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2024.2304891] [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: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
In the study, we aimed to investigate the effects of perceived spousal support and dyadic adjustment on the psychological well-being of women in the early postpartum period. This descriptive and correlational study consisted of 367 women giving birth in the postpartum department between 15th July and 31st October 2022. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Perceived Spousal Support Among Women in Early Postpartum Period (PSSAWEPP), the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS). The average scores of PSSAWEPP, RDAS, and PWBS in the mothers were found as 61.79 ± 7.73, 54.16 ± 6.28, and 45.87 ± 5.74, respectively. The elevated scores of perceived spousal support (β = 0.234, p < .001) and dyadic adjustment (β = 0.270, p < .001) of women led to a significant increase in the level of psychological well-being. In conclusion, the support received by women from spouses and dyadic adjustment affect the psychological well-being of women in the early postpartum period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sureyya Kılıç
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konya City Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - Ruveyde Can
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Sema Dereli Yilmaz
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
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Baldoni F, Agostini F, Terrone G, Casu G, Giannotti M. A Psychometric Study of the Perinatal Assessment of Maternal Affectivity (PAMA) for the Screening of Perinatal Affective Disorders in Mothers. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11060907. [PMID: 36981563 PMCID: PMC10048133 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11060907] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, empirical evidence from perinatal studies has led researchers to pay more attention to fathers. The need to evaluate male suffering led at first to using the same screening tools developed for mothers. However, these instruments present validity concerns with fathers, and today the need to assume a gender-based perspective is clear. The Perinatal Assessment of Paternal Affectivity (PAPA) is a self-reported questionnaire for the screening of a variety of psychological and behavioral dimensions related to affectivity as experienced by fathers during the perinatal period. In the present study, the psychometric properties of the maternal version of the scale (Perinatal Assessment of Maternal Affectivity; PAMA) were examined. The study, based on 225 mothers and their partners (n = 215), used a cross-sectional design with a single assessment at the third trimester of pregnancy. Results indicated a one-factor structure for a seven-item version of the PAMA, which showed adequate internal consistency reliability and was associated in the expected direction with other clinically relevant variables (depression, psychological distress, perceived stress and dyadic adjustment). The findings suggest the usefulness of developing gender sensitive screening tools for the detection of perinatal affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Baldoni
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Grazia Terrone
- Department of History, Cultural Heritage, Education and Society, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Casu
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Giannotti
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, 38068 Trento, Italy
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Çankaya S, Alan Dikmen H. The effects of family function, relationship satisfaction, and dyadic adjustment on postpartum depression. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2022; 58:2460-2470. [PMID: 35362113 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.13081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the effect of family function, relationship satisfaction, and dyadic adjustment on postpartum depression DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 337 postpartum mothers. FINDINGS Fifty-five mothers scored above the depression scale cutoff point (>13). Emotional violence from husband, poor problem solving and communication, low relationship satisfaction, dyadic adjustment, and consensus were important risk factors for postpartum depression (p < .0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Family function and partner relationships should be a key focus for midwives and nurses in the postpartum period. Providing psychological interventions aimed at improving relationship functioning can help protect mothers against postpartum depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyhan Çankaya
- Department of Midwifery, Health Sciences Faculty of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Hacer Alan Dikmen
- Department of Midwifery, Health Sciences Faculty of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
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Afek E, Lev-Wiesel R, Federman D, Shai D. The mediating role of parental embodied mentalizing in the longitudinal association between prenatal spousal support and toddler emotion recognition. INFANCY 2022; 27:609-629. [PMID: 35150186 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Emotion recognition is an important developmental achievement in early childhood. Grounded in theoretical concepts of family systems theory and the spillover effect, the goal of the current study was to examine whether prenatal spousal support predicts toddler emotion recognition at 24 months, and whether this association is mediated by parental embodied mentalizing (PEM) at 6 months. PEM refers to the parent's capacity to understand the infant's mental states from his or her whole-body kinesthetic expressions and adjust their own kinesthetic patterns accordingly. One hundred and five families expecting their first child were included in the study. Results indicated that maternal PEM mediated the relationship between prenatal dyadic positive and overall support and toddler emotion recognition. Paternal PEM was not found to be related to either dyadic support or to toddler emotion recognition, and it did not mediate the relationship between the two. The findings of the current study support the importance of including both parents' embodied mentalizing and a systemic approach to illuminate child development. A significant clinical implication from this study is the usefulness of prenatal couple interventions to improve mutual support and communication as it can promote parents' parental mentalizing and ultimately the child's emotion recognition capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Einav Afek
- The Emili Sagol Research Center for Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Rachel Lev-Wiesel
- The Emili Sagol Research Center for Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,Social Work, Tel Hai College, Upper Galilee, Israel
| | - Dita Federman
- The Emili Sagol Research Center for Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dana Shai
- SEED Center, School of Behavioral Science, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Mangialavori S, Cacioppo M, Terrone G, O'Hara MW. A dyadic approach to stress and prenatal depression in first-time parents: The mediating role of marital satisfaction. Stress Health 2021; 37:755-765. [PMID: 33620738 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In the field of perinatal clinical psychology, most studies focus on mothers' psychological states during pregnancy, neglecting the role of their partners. This study used an Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model to evaluate the mediating role of dyadic satisfaction on the relationship between perceived stress and prenatal depressive symptomatology in both members of male-female-mixed-gender couples who were expecting their first child. One hundred thirty-eight couples in their third trimester of pregnancy were asked to complete questionnaires about perceived stress, dyadic adjustment, and depression. The model revealed that there was an intrapersonal indirect effect of fathers' perceived stress on prenatal paternal depression through their marital satisfaction. Moreover, an interpersonal indirect effect was found with mothers' perceived stress being associated with prenatal paternal depression through fathers' dyadic satisfaction. Maternal indirect effects were all non-significant, suggesting that their dyadic satisfaction and that of their partner did not mediate the relation between their perceived stress and that of their partner and their prenatal depression. Findings support the importance of assessing the dyadic satisfaction of couples during pregnancy, especially in expectant fathers, and targeting it in the psychological support offered to couples as a way of improving their prenatal distress, and consequently, their mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Cacioppo
- Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Grazia Terrone
- Department of History, Cultural Heritage, Education and Society, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael W O'Hara
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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McDonald HM, Sherman KA, Kasparian NA. Factors associated with psychological distress among Australian women during pregnancy. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Screening for Early Signs of Paternal Perinatal Affective Disorder in Expectant Fathers: A Cluster Analysis Approach. J Pers Med 2020; 11:jpm11010010. [PMID: 33374704 PMCID: PMC7822454 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies documented gender-related differences in the expression of Perinatal Affective Disorders. However, little attention has been paid to screening the male population during the perinatal period. This study was based on three aims: (1) to investigate the mental health of expectant fathers based on their levels of depression, anxiety, addiction, anger attacks/hostility, and somatization, identifying psychological profiles; (2) to analyze the association between these profiles and the individual variable of perceived stress; (3) and to examine the association between these profiles and the couple’s variable of marital adjustment. A total of 350 Italian expectant fathers in the last trimester of pregnancy were asked to fill in questionnaires concerning perceived stress, dyadic adjustment, psychiatric symptomatology, and depression. Three different clusters were found: “psychologically healthy men” (68%) with low levels of symptoms on all the scales; “men at risk of externalized behavioral problems” (17.1%), characterized by one or more addictive or risky behaviors and moderate levels of scales scores; and “men experiencing psychological distress” (14.9%), with the highest scores on all the scales. A significant association emerged among the perceived stress, marital adjustment, and cluster membership. These results highlight the importance of screening fathers in perinatal health services, which are still predominantly mother-centered, and underscore the necessity to create tailored and personalized interventions.
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Terrone G, Mangialavori S, Lanza di Scalea G, Cantiano A, Temporin G, Ducci G, Gori A, Cacioppo M, Schimmenti A, Caretti V. The relationship between dyadic adjustment and psychiatric symptomatology in expectant couples: An actor-partner interdependency model approach. J Affect Disord 2020; 273:468-475. [PMID: 32560942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many researchers who evaluated psychological distress during the transition to parenthood agree in identifying pregnancy as the most sensitive period for the onset of psychiatric symptomatology for both parents. Furthermore, research highlights a correlation between symptoms experienced by fathers in relation to those experienced by mothers. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate whether dyadic functioning influences the level of psychiatric symptomatology in couples expecting their first child. Participants were 137 couples expecting their first child; they were recruited at the San Filippo Neri and the Santo Spirito hospitals in Rome (ASLROMA1). We used an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to test the interdependence of both partners and the effect of dyadic relationships on psychiatric symptoms in the couple. RESULTS The overall test of distinguishability yielded a chi square value of 122.167 (23 df; p < .001). The actor-partner interdependence model showed significant paths between couple coping and psychiatric symptomatology. Specifically, we found that the quality of couple coping perceived by the mother negatively predicted maternal psychiatric symptomatology, and the quality of couple coping perceived by the father negatively predicted paternal psychiatric symptomatology. Furthermore, the quality of couple coping perceived by the father negatively predicted maternal psychiatric symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study confirm that dyadic adjustment is an important element for the development of effective interpersonal relationships. These data highlight the importance of promoting psycho-educational and clinical courses and programs for the development of social support with future parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Terrone
- Department of Humanities, Literature, and Cultural Heritage, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
| | | | | | - Arianna Cantiano
- Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessio Gori
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Marco Cacioppo
- Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriano Schimmenti
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, UKE - Kore University of Enna, Enna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Caretti
- Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Vermeulen J, Buyl R, D'haenens F, Demedts D, Tricas-Sauras S, Haddani I, Fobelets M. The Development of the DDads Questionnaire: Awareness, Knowledge and Attitudes of the General Population Towards Paternal Depression. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:561954. [PMID: 33551859 PMCID: PMC7859093 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.561954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Paternal perinatal depression affects ~10% of new fathers and is known to have a negative impact on men's relationship with their partner as well as with their baby. The attitudes of the general population toward paternal depression have received scant attention in the scientific literature. A better understanding of paternal depression might improve the health literacy of the population and also assist professionals and policy makers to adequately address this issue, to ultimately refine the existing health care alternatives for them. This paper describes the Belgian development, face and content validation of the DDads (Depression in Dads) questionnaire. Its focus is to identify the awareness, knowledge and attitudes of the general population toward paternal perinatal depression. Study Design: The DDads was developed using a three-step model with the following phases: (1) identification of the content domain, (2) item generation and (3) construction of the questionnaire. For the DDads validation a (a) Delphi method with content experts (n = 17) and (b) a cognitive debriefing method with lay experts (n = 20) were used to assess the clarity, relevance, wording and layout. Results: The questionnaire consists of three main components comprising: (1) three questions on awareness, (2) three questions on knowledge and (3) one question on attitudes and beliefs. After round one validation, all questions were considered content valid for relevance (I-CVI 0.94-1.00), and six questions for clarity (I-CVI 0.65-1.00). Scale content (S-CVI/Ave 0.93) and face validity (Face Validity Index 1.00) was obtained. One question was revised and split into two questions in a second round. For one of these questions, item content (0.80-0.93), scale content (0.92) and face validity (1.00) was reached. The one question, exploring the causes of paternal perinatal depression, remained inappropriate and was removed from the DDads. One last question was removed after interviews with lay experts. Conclusions: We developed an instrument to establish awareness, knowledge and attitudes of the general population toward paternal perinatal depression in Belgium. The DDads can be valuable in identifying knowledge gaps. It can help to inform policy makers and health professionals to identify gaps and predisposed attitudes in society toward paternal depression which may hinder appropriate management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joeri Vermeulen
- Department Health Care, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Public Health, Biostatistics and Medical Informatics Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ronald Buyl
- Department of Public Health, Biostatistics and Medical Informatics Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Florence D'haenens
- Department Health Care, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dennis Demedts
- Department Health Care, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Public Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sandra Tricas-Sauras
- Department Health Care, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Brussels, Belgium.,Public Health School, CR5 - Department of Social Approaches to Health (CRISS), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ihsane Haddani
- Department Health Care, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maaike Fobelets
- Department Health Care, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Public Health, Biostatistics and Medical Informatics Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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