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Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Stress and behavioral risk among young expectant couples
Anna Divney1, Derrick Gordon2, Urania Magriples2
1School of Public Health, City University of New York, United States.
Stress during pregnancy affects both expectant parents. Parental stress is linked to unhealthy behaviors and depression in young mothers and fathers, impacting the whole family.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Adolescent Health
- Mental Health
Background:
- Limited research exists on stress and coping among pregnant adolescents.
- Young fathers' experiences during pregnancy are understudied, yet crucial for family well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between maternal and paternal stress during pregnancy.
- To examine associations with health behaviors and depressive symptoms in young expectant couples.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 294 young expectant couples in the U.S.
- Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Parental stress correlated with increased unhealthy behaviors and depressive symptoms for both mothers and fathers.
- Paternal stress predicted more maternal conduct problems.
- Maternal stress predicted more paternal depressive symptoms and reduced paternal substance use.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent stress during pregnancy significantly impacts parental mental health and behaviors.
- Social relationships play a vital role in the health of expectant adolescents and their families.
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