Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2025
06:39
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
3.0K
Maternal Perinatal Depression, Alexithymia, and Couple Functioning: Which Relationship Exists with Prenatal
Sonia Mangialavori1, Andrea Fontana2, Grazia Terrone3
1Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy.
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 28, 2024
Summary
Perinatal depression and alexithymia negatively impact prenatal attachment. However, strong couple cohesion can protect the maternal-fetal bond during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Maternal Health
- Attachment Theory
Background:
- Prenatal attachment is the emotional bond parents form with their unborn child.
- Risk factors for poor prenatal attachment include depressive symptoms, affect dysregulation, and poor marital adjustment.
- Previous research has not concurrently examined these factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the simultaneous impact of depressive symptomatology, alexithymia, and couple functioning on prenatal attachment.
- To develop a comprehensive understanding of factors influencing the maternal-fetal emotional bond.
- To identify key predictors of prenatal attachment quality.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 344 women in their last trimester of pregnancy.
- Utilized validated scales: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale.
- Regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Perinatal depression and alexithymia were found to negatively influence the Quality of Prenatal Attachment.
- Dyadic Cohesion emerged as a significant protective factor for prenatal attachment.
- These factors collectively explain variance in maternal-fetal bonding.
Conclusions:
- Early identification of perinatal depression and alexithymia is crucial.
- Interventions supporting Dyadic Cohesion during pregnancy are recommended.
- Fostering positive prenatal attachment enhances maternal mental health.
Related Concept Videos
03:34Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
43.3K
Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships.
43.3K
01:20Attachment
58
Attachment is vital for infant development, as warm social interactions support growth and well-being. In a classic 1958 study by Harry Harlow, the significance of warmth and comfort in forming attachments was examined. Harlow separated newborn monkeys from their mothers and provided two artificial "mothers": one made of cold wire and the other covered in soft cloth. Despite the wire mother offering food, the infant monkeys preferred the comfort of the cloth mother, demonstrating that...
58
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
49
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Primary Temperament Types
49
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
55
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
55
01:18Depression: Overview
224
Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
224
01:16Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral
591
The oral stage is the initial phase of Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development, occurring from birth to approximately 12 to 18 months. During this period, the infant's mouth serves as the primary source of pleasure, with actions such as sucking, chewing, biting, and drinking playing a crucial role in reducing tension. These activities are essential not only for nourishment but also for the infant's psychological and emotional satisfaction.
Weaning, typically occurring...
Weaning, typically occurring...
591