Levels Of Depressive Symptoms Research Articles

Immigration‐related stress, depression, and positive parenting among undocumented Central American immigrant mothers

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of the current study was to examine whether immigration‐related stress is associated with reduced positive parenting and whether this association is mediated by depressive symptoms in undocumented Central American immigrant mothers.BackgroundIn the context of “illegality,” parents can face myriad stressors related to their immigration status, which may lead to heightened emotions, including depressed mood. These experiences may affect family life, including the ways in which immigrant mothers parent their children.MethodThis study examined survey data generated in 2016–2017 by researchers using a community‐based participatory action research approach in partnership with Central American immigrant mothers residing in the Washington, DC, region. The sample for this study included 117 undocumented Central American immigrant mothers of children aged 3 to 11 years.ResultsControlling for age of child, mother's education, and relationship status, analyses revealed that immigration‐related stress was associated with heightened levels of depressive symptoms for mothers. However, mothers' symptoms of depression were not associated with positive parenting. Additionally, no association between immigration‐related stress and positive parenting was found.ConclusionsFindings suggest that mothers, although affected by immigration‐related stress in terms of their own mood symptoms, may deploy mechanisms such as parental self‐sacrifice to protect their children from anti‐immigrant harms.ImplicationsFindings hold implications for future research, including research approaches, and practice.

Influence of temperament and emotional dysregulation on depressive symptoms in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A structural equation modelling analysis

ObjectiveDepressive symptoms in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are common. Clinical evidence suggests that affective temperaments and emotional dysregulation are reasonable putative explanatory factors of this association. In this study, we thus investigated the role of these features in influencing concomitant depressive symptoms in adults with ADHD. MethodsOutpatients with ADHD were consecutively enrolled. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R), while the Temperament Evaluation Memphis for Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) was used to assess the affective temperament dimensions. We tested emotional dysregulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Structural equation modeling was performed to test the interplay between temperament, emotional dysregulation, and depressive symptoms, accounting for other clinical variables that showed an association with depressive symptoms at univariate level. ResultsA total of 164 individuals with ADHD (mean age of 29.8 ± 10.7 years), of which 61 (37.2%) women, were recruited. Data showed that, accounting for the possible influence of psychopharmacological treatment and ADHD severity, both emotional dysregulation (p < 0.001) and dysthymic temperament (p = 0.003), though not other affective temperament dimensions, might influence depressive symptoms in people with ADHD. ConclusionsDespite some limitations, our study emphasizes the role of dysthymic temperament and emotional dysregulation in contributing to levels of depressive symptoms among individuals with ADHD. A comprehensive temperament assessment in adults with ADHD can offer valuable insights for developing tailored treatment strategies and enhancing overall patient care.

Unwanted Online Sexual Solicitation Among Young People in a Swedish Psychiatric Sample: Occurrence and Associations with Depression and Anxiety

ABSTRACT Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) is a ubiquitous societal problem with negative health consequences. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric (CAP) patients are burdened with more violence exposure than other groups, but more work is needed to chart their exposure to TFSV specifically and to understand how it relates to their mental health. In this study, we aimed to investigate the occurrence of unwanted online sexual solicitation (UOSS) in a young Swedish psychiatric sample. We also aimed to measure the associations between psychiatric symptoms and exposure to UOSS, offline sexual harassment, cyberbullying, and offline bullying. We also aimed to analyze possible differences between boys and girls. Our results show a high occurrence of UOSS (48.61%), which is higher than in the general population. UOSS was significantly higher among girls (57.31%) than boys (20.59%), but boys in the CAP group were burdened with more UOSS victimization than boys in general. Co-occurrence of UOSS with other types of offline and online harassment was substantial. UOSS, together with age and offline sexual harassment, predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms among both girls and boys. UOSS also showed a significant interaction effect with gender, suggesting that boys exposed to UOSS suffer higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than girls exposed to UOSS. Preventing and treating mental health difficulties needs to consider contextual circumstances such as exposure to sexual violence online.

Prospective Relations Between Inferential Styles and Depressive Symptoms Among Children of Mothers with Major Depression

ABSTRACT Objective Current models of depression risk in children include both family history and cognitive models of risk; however, these models are rarely integrated. This study aimed to address this gap by examining how cognitive vulnerabilities featured in the hopelessness theory of depression – negative inferential styles for the causes, consequences, and self-characteristic implications of negative events – may increase risk for the intergenerational transmission of depression. Specifically, we examined whether children of mothers with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD), compared to children of never-depressed mothers, exhibit more negative inferential styles and whether maternal history of MDD moderates prospective relations between children’s inferential styles and depressive symptoms. Method Participants were 251 children (ages 8–14 at baseline; 51% girls; 81% Non-Hispanic White) of mothers with (n = 129) or without (n = 122) a history of MDD. Children’s inferential styles and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and then every 6 months for 2 years. Results Using random intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPMs), we found that children of mothers with a history of MDD, compared to children of never-depressed mothers, had more negative inferential styles for the causes and consequences of negative events, but not for self-characteristics, and higher depressive symptom levels, across the follow-up. In addition, there were reciprocal, transactional relations between children’s inferential styles for causes and their depressive symptoms across the follow-up, with no evidence for moderation by maternal MDD. Conclusions Children’s inferential styles for the causes of negative events may be a useful marker of risk for the intergenerational transmission of depression, which could be targeted to reduce risk for depression.

Factors associated with seasonal affective disorder: Findings from the bipolar disorder course and outcome study from India (BiD-CoIN study)

BackgroundThere is a lack of information on the long-term course and outcomes of bipolar disorder (BD) patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). AimTo compare the demographic and clinical profile of BD patients with and without SAD. MethodologyData from 773 BD patients with an illness duration of at least 10 years were collected from 14 tertiary care centers. SAD was defined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Participants with and without SAD were compared for demographic and clinical features. ResultsThe prevalence of SAD was 9.44 %. BD patients with SAD spent more time in episodes (p < 0.001), had a higher number of lifetime episodes (p < 0.001), and more episodes per year of illness in the lifetime. They also spent more time in depressive episodes (p < 0.001), had higher depressive (p < 0.001) and manic (p = 0.01) affective morbidity indices, shorter durations of current remission (p < 0.001), higher levels of residual depressive and manic symptoms, higher levels of disability, and received more medications (p < 0.001). Patients with SAD were also more likely to have BD-II (p = 0.01), rapid cycling (p < 0.001), a first-lifetime episode of depressive polarity (p = 0.01), a history of breakthrough episodes (p < 0.001), self-discontinuation of pharmacoprophylaxis, and relapses due to poor medication adherence. They were more often receiving lithium, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. However, a lower proportion of those with SAD had been hospitalized, received electroconvulsive therapy, or were receiving valproate. ConclusionPatients with SAD, in general, have more severe BD, and differ from those without SAD on many clinical parameters.

The effect of diet quality and body mass index on depression in older adults: a growth curve analysis

BackgroundNutrition not only plays an important role in one’s physical health, but also mental health. The causal association between nutrition and mental health remains unclear. While a healthy dietary pattern may protect one against mental illness, it is also possible that poor mental health could lead to unhealthy eating habits or choices. Furthermore, emerging studies suggest that a higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms in older adults, contrasting the effect observed in other populations. With an ageing population, this study aimed to investigate the long-term impact of a healthy dietary pattern, BMI, and other covariates on depressive symptoms in older adults.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study between 2014 and 2017, with each follow-up assessment being one year apart. A total of 2081 participants above 65 years old (M = 79.65, SD = 7.94) completed the baseline assessment in 2014, which included basic demographics, self-reported eating habits, depressive symptoms, and the measurement of height and weight. Distance to supermarkets and fast food was calculated based on participants’ residential addresses. Two growth models were performed to assess the trajectory of change in depressive symptoms over time.ResultsOlder adults experienced a significant decrease in depressive symptoms over time (intercept = 2.68, p < .001; slope = -0.25, p < .001). At baseline, a higher diet quality (B = -0.95, p < .001), higher BMI (B = -0.09, p < .001), younger age (B = 0.40, p = .001), being a male (B = 0.76, p < .001), and having fewer chronic diseases (B = 0.39, p < .001) were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Over time, a higher diet quality (B = 0.14, p = .05), higher BMI (B = 0.02, p = .04), and fewer chronic diseases (B = -0.08, p < .001) predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms over time.ConclusionsA higher diet quality and higher BMI may serve as protective factors for depressive symptoms in older adults. Potential implications are being discussed.

Exploring the effect of gender and culture on the relationship between self-silencing and depressive symptoms

ABSTRACT Objective The self-silencing theory explains how cultural norms can expect women to maintain their relationships by silencing their self, which can restrict voice and power in relationships, thereby potentially leading to depression. However, the literature regarding gender differences in self-silencing is inconsistent. In this study, we aimed to investigate gender and cultural differences in self-silencing in an adult community sample. Method Iranians residing in Australia (men n = 60, women n = 58) and European Australians (men n = 53, women n = 59) completed measures of self-silencing, depression and self-reported gender. Results There were no cultural or gender differences in self-silencing. Aspects of self-silencing (i.e. greater levels of divided self, r = .33, p < .001, and greater levels of externalised self-perception, r = .40, p < .001) were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Gender moderated the association between care as a self-sacrifice and depressive symptoms, B = .31, SE= .14, 95%CI [.04−,58], t = 2.24, p = .026. Follow-up analyses showed that for women, higher levels of care as self-sacrifice were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, B = 0.17, SE = 0.09, t = 1.88, p = .06, 95% CI [<−.001,0.35]. However, for men, higher levels of care as self-sacrifice were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms, B = −0.13, SE = 0.10, t = 1.32, p = .18, 95% CI [−0.34, 0.67]. Cultural group did not moderate any of the associations. Conclusions This cross-cultural study offers further insights regarding self-silencing in the context of depressive symptoms and provides initial insights for clinical practice.

Predictors of treatment response trajectories to cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: A cohort study

BackgroundThe response to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) varies greatly between patients, but predictors of treatment success remain to be elucidated. We aimed to identify patient subgroups based on fatigue trajectory during CBT, identify pre-treatment predictors of subgroup membership, and disentangle the direction of predictor – outcome relationships over time. Methods297 individuals with CFS were enrolled in a standardized CBT program consisting of 17 sessions, with session timing variable between participants. Self-reported levels of fatigue, depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms, perceived stress, and positive affect were collected pre-treatment, and after 3, 10, and 15 sessions. Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA) was used to identify subgroups based on fatigue trajectories and baseline predictors of group membership. Cross-lagged structural equation models were used to disentangle predictor-outcome relationships. ResultsLCGA identified four fatigue trajectory subgroups, which were labelled as “no improvement” (23 %), “weak improvement” (45 %), “moderate improvement” (23 %), and “strong improvement” (9 %) classes. Higher pre-treatment levels of depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms, stress, and lower levels of positive affect predicted membership of the “no improvement” subgroup. Reductions in anxiety preceded reductions in fatigue, while the depressive symptoms – fatigue relationship was bidirectional. ConclusionsOn a group level, there were statistically significant reductions in fatigue after 15 sessions of CBT, with important individual differences in treatment response. Higher pre-treatment levels of anxious, depressive, and somatic symptoms and perceived stress are predictors of lack of response, with reductions in anxiety and stress preceding improvements in fatigue.

Cognitive Functions in Adolescent Girls with Anorexia Nervosa during Nutritional Rehabilitation.

The present study aimed to evaluate cognitive function and laboratory parameters in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa (AN) before and after nutritional rehabilitation (NR) compared to healthy female peers (CG). We evaluated 36 girls with AN at two-time points, during acute malnutrition (AN1) and after NR, in a partially normalized weight status (AN2). We compared their cognitive functions and laboratory parameters to 48 healthy CG subjects. Cognitive function was assessed using a Cognitive Assessment Battery (CAB) assessment, depressive symptom levels were assessed using a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) assessment, and eating disorders were assessed using an Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26). The AN1 group scored better in total cognition, attention, estimation, and spatial perception than the CG group (p < 0.05), with scores increasing in the AN2 group. Shifting and visual perception values did not differ between the study groups (p = 0.677, p = 0.506, respectively). Laboratory tests showed no significant abnormalities and did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). There was a negative correlation for EAT-26 and CAB in the AN1 group (rho = -0.43, p = 0.01), but not for BDI. Cognitive function in adolescent girls with AN was better than CG and correlated with EAT-26 score. These results highlight the high compensatory capacity of the adolescent body to maintain cognitive function despite severe malnutrition. Our results suggest that although normalization of body weight is crucial, other factors can significantly influence improvements in cognitive function. Cognitive deficits and laboratory tests may not be biomarkers of early forms of AN.

The association between living alone and depressive symptoms in older adults population: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

The goal of this research was to reveal the association between living alone and depressive symptoms in older adults. It also aims to explore the mediating role of social activity and adult children's relationship satisfaction. Ultimately, the study seeks to add to the body of knowledge for lowering the risk of depression among older people and promoting positive aging. Based on information from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, the ordinary least square (OLS) regression model and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to investigate the association between living alone and depressive symptoms in older adults and to explore possible heterogeneity in different groups. Utilizing the SPSS PROCESS macro application, the mediation model was constructed. The significance of the mediation effect was investigated using the Bootstrap technique. The average level of depressive symptoms of older people living alone (10.55 ± 6.962) was higher than that of older people who do not live alone (8.80 ± 6.363). The baseline regression analysis revealed a significant connection between living alone and the depressive symptoms of older people (β = 0.842, p < 0.001). The association between living alone and the level of depressive symptoms was significantly higher in those aged 60-74 years (β = 1.698, p < 0.001) than in those aged 75 and older (β = 0.953, p < 0.05). The association between living alone and depressive symptoms was significantly higher in rural older adults (β = 1.512, p < 0.001) than in urban older adults (β = 1.141, p < 0.001). Between living alone and the level of depressive symptoms experienced by older people, there was a substantial mediation impact on social engagement and adult children's relationship satisfaction, which contributed to 2.91 and 13.62% of the overall effect. For older age groups, living alone is associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. This effect is stronger in older adults aged 60-74 or rural areas. In older age groups, the association between living alone and depressive symptoms is mediated by social activity and adult children's relationship satisfaction.

The association of personal, parental, school and community factors with depressive symptoms among a sample of Colombian students of ages 9 to 12 years.

Few studies have examined how the personal characteristics of students, together with factors from their local social environments and communities, affect students living in generally high levels of social disruption. We examined the influence that personal characteristics as well as factors from the local social environments and communities may have on Colombian students' levels of depressive symptoms shortly after the end of the of armed conflict. Data were collected from 710 students attending the fifth grade in a random sample of elementary schools in the province of Sucre in Colombia. Information was gathered on the students' ages and gender as well as characteristics of their parents, school factors, and community factors. A five-level hierarchical regression model was used to determine the extent to which all these variables predicted depression scores, as measured by the Adolescent Depression Rating Scale. While personal, parental, school and community factors were all found to predict depression scores, the category, parental factors had the most impact. That was followed by school factors, community factors and finally personal characteristics. Multiple social and environmental factors were associated with the level of depression experienced by Colombian students.

Evaluation of the mental health status of intensive care unit healthcare workers at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic.

During pandemic periods, mental health issues are highly prevalent, particularly among healthcare workers who are at a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study is to evaluate the mental health status of the intensive care unit (ICU) healthcare workers, who play a vital role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of the quality of sleep, levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, stress and to determine the factors that affect their mental health. The research was conducted in April 2020 and incorporated a total of 79 participants working in an university hospital ICUs in Turkey. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 42 (DASS-42), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were applied. Among the participants, 58 individuals comprising 73.4% of the cohort were working in the ICUs, managing patients infected with COVID-19. Those working in ICUs with COVID-19 patients had significantly higher DASS-S, BAI, and BDI scores. Doctors' BDI scores were significantly lower compared to both nurses and other healthcare workers. Participants exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms manifested significantly higher BAI scores in compared to those without such symptoms. Healthcare workers involved in ICUs with COVID-19 patients were more significantly affected psychologically, doctors had lower depressive symptoms as compared to other healthcare workers. In addition, individuals with COVID-19 symptoms demonstrated significantly higher levels of anxiety. The findings of our study emphasize the significance of providing psychological support to healthcare workers throughout pandemics.

Meaning-Centred Coping Predicted Lower Depressive Symptoms among Caregivers with Complicated Grief.

Complicated grief is characterised by persistent low mood, intense distress and cognitive impairment. This study aimed to explore coping strategies (i.e. emotion-, problem- and meaning-centred) used by bereaved individuals facing complicated grief and how these strategies may predict psychological and cognitive outcomes. In a cross-sectional study, 20 bereaved individuals (5 males, 15 females) that aged 27 years old-65 years old (mean = 42.25, standard deviation [SD] = 9.30) were recruited following the loss of a loved one due to physical illness. Participants were screened for complicated grief and subsequently completed self-report assessments of coping strategies and depressive symptoms using Brief Grief Questionnaire (BGQ), Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Questionnaire, Meaning-Centered Coping Scale (MCCS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Items (PHQ-9). Following that, participants underwent a neurocognitive assessment of working memory using the 2-Back task. Caregivers with complicated grief suffered from moderate severity of depressive symptoms (mean = 17.45, SD = 4.43) as they were coping with the losses. Furthermore, the findings showed that MCC significantly predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms (b = -0.50, t (16) = -2.25, P = 0.04). However, coping strategies did not significantly predict working memory performance. These findings highlight the potential benefits of MCC in alleviating depressive symptoms in bereaved individuals and underscore its contribution to the development of grief interventions. Grief therapists can emphasise this coping strategy to promote healing and resilience in patients in the grief work.

Psychological burden and depressive symptoms in caregivers of hemato-oncological patients: the role of medical visits

AbstractInformal caregivers of patients with cancer are known to experience extensive burdens, whereas this issue remains unresolved in the setting of hematological malignancies. Yet, these diseases are characterized by a prolonged course, numerous relapses, and implementation of multiline therapy, administered in outpatient facilities. This study aimed to assess the factors contributing to burden and depressive symptoms in informal caregivers of patients with hematological malignancies, while concentrating on the role of medical visits. The study population comprised patients and their caregivers, recruited at the Rambam Hematology Ambulatory Unit. Participants completed validated questionnaires, including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. The cohort (n = 185) included 115 patients (average age, 62.8 ± 14.5 years; 54 males) and 70 caregivers. Among caregivers, 80% reported high psychological burden, and 50% reported significant depressive symptoms. The burden was higher if caregivers were females and if patients were less educated, less healthy, and more depressed. The caregiver burden and depressive symptoms were significantly linked, and the medical visit frequency predicted the level of both. The caregiver burden fully mediated the link between the independent variables of self-rated health and medical visits and the dependent variable of caregiver depressive symptoms. Informal caregivers of ambulatory patients with hemato-oncological malignancies experience high levels of psychological burden and depressive symptoms. This is partly attributed to the medical visit frequency. Hence, a decrease in the number and length of such visits via the implementation of advanced technology could essentially reduce burden and depressive symptoms of caregivers, without compromising patient outcomes.

Prevalence of psychotic-like experiences and their association with depression symptoms among patients entering adolescent psychiatric care

Background Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are common in clinical adolescent samples and form a continuum based on their frequency and intensity. PLEs can have harmful effects on both behaviour and affect. Methods Prevalence and subjective distress due to PLEs were assessed with the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief (PQ-B) and depressive symptoms with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-21A) among adolescents (N = 399; 71.7% female, mean age 14.9 years, range 13–18) entering specialized adolescent psychiatric services. Various PQ-B Distress scale cut-off points were tested for their ability to detect high and low BDI scores using the superiority index, the effect size for mean difference, and spline regressions. Results The mean number of endorsed PLEs assessed with the PQ-B was 3.27 (SD 3.64; males: M 1.75; SD 2.78; females: M 3.89; SD 3.78), while mean PQ-B Distress scores were 20.33 (SD 18.03; males: M 11.84; SD 13.90; females: M 23.74; SD 18.40). The most common PLE within both genders were experiences of paranoia and suspiciousness, with a prevalence of 59.9%. BDI scores and PQ-B distress scores were strongly associated (r = 0.534, p<.001). Superiority indices, effect sizes, and spline regressions indicated that a low PQ-B Distress cut-off of 2 or 3 was most informative both when using BDI as a continuous variable and when dichotomized as mild depression (≥10) or major depressive disorder (≥16). Conclusion PLEs are common among adolescent entering psychiatric care. Even a relatively small amount of distress due to PLEs indicates clinical levels of depressive symptoms.

Health Profile Transitions and the Association With Cognitive Impairment in Older Nursing Home Residents With Suicidal Ideation.

In older U.S. nursing home residents with suicidal ideation (SI), limited studies have longitudinally investigated their health changes as related to cognitive function. This study aimed to identify the health profiles and the transitions between profiles at admission and 90-days and examine the associations with cognitive impairment. Using Minimum Data Set 3.0 (2011-15), we identified 10,079 older residents without severe cognitive impairment who reported SI on Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Health profile indicators included at-admission and 90-day post-admission depressive symptoms, frailty, and pain frequency and intensity. Using latent transition analysis, we identified distinct health profiles, examined the transitions between profiles over time, and estimated their associations with cognitive impairment. One third of residents continued to report SI at 90days. The five health profiles identified at admission were distinctive with varying levels of frailty, depressive symptoms, and pain, from the most severe Profile 1 characterized by frailty, all depressive symptoms, and horrible or frequent pain, to the least severe Profile 5 characterized by pre-frailty, depressed mood, and no pain. The 90-day profiles were mostly consistent. Most residents remained in a similar profile over time. Relative to residents with intact cognition/mild cognitive impairment, those with moderate impairment were less likely to belong to profiles characterized by more depressive symptoms and pain. Residents with SI had heterogeneous health profiles, which varied by cognitive impairment levels, but showed minimal changes despite being in a medically supervised setting. Findings highlighted the critical need for adequate recognition and management of SI in nursing homes.

Understanding the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and neglect and psychological distress in pregnant women: the role of prenatal attachment

BackgroundChildhood abuse and neglect pose important risk factors for the development of psychopathology during pregnancy. However, only a few studies have assessed the effects of a specific type of abuse during the perinatal period, namely, psychological maltreatment, which includes emotional abuse and neglect. These studies have found that women who have experienced psychological maltreatment exhibit higher levels of antenatal depressive symptoms and greater difficulties forming attachment with their babies than women who have not experienced this kind of adversity. The aim of this study was to examine how emotional abuse and neglect experiences may favor the occurrence of psychological distress in pregnant women, and whether prenatal attachment might explain this association.MethodsParticipants comprised 128 Italian pregnant women ranging in age from 21 to 46 years (Mage = 33.4; SD = 6.10). Women responded to the following self-report instruments: CECA.Q and CTQ-SF, for the assessment of psychological maltreatment experiences; MAAS, for the evaluation of prenatal attachment; and PAMA, for the assessment of perinatal psychological distress.ResultsPearson correlations revealed a positive association between childhood neglect and perinatal psychological distress and a negative association between childhood neglect and prenatal attachment scores. No significant correlations were found for emotional abuse. Perinatal psychological distress was negatively associated with prenatal attachment. Mediation analyses showed significant associations between childhood neglect and the dimensions of perinatal affectivity and prenatal maternal attachment. Prenatal maternal attachment mediated the relationship between neglect and perinatal psychological distress.ConclusionsThe transition to motherhood is a sensitive period, particularly for women who have experienced abuse and neglect during childhood. These experiences may negatively impact a woman’s disposition to emotionally and behaviorally engage in the formation of a bond with their unborn baby. These results may have important prevention and clinical implications and thus warrant further exploration.

Depressive and Anxious Symptoms, Experimentally Manipulated Acute Social-Evaluative Threat, and Cortisol Reactivity.

Exposure to social-evaluative threat (SET) can elicit greater physiological responses, including cortisol, compared to non-SET stressors. An individual's level of depressive and anxious symptoms predicts variability in cortisol responses to stressors, and other research suggests that these individual differences may predict vulnerability to social evaluation. The current study integrates both lines of research, testing if there are different relationships between depressive and/or anxious symptoms and cortisol reactivity in the presence or absence of SET. Healthy undergraduate students ( N = 158, 65% female) were randomly assigned to deliver a speech in the presence (SET) or absence (non-SET) of two evaluators. Salivary cortisol was collected throughout, and self-reported depressive and anxious symptoms were assessed. We hypothesized that in the SET condition, higher levels of depressive and/or anxious symptoms would predict dysregulated cortisol responses compared to lower levels of symptoms and/or assignment to the non-SET group. In spite of inconclusive p values (which might be attributed to low statistical power), individuals with high depressive or high anxious symptoms appeared to have exaggerated cortisol responses in the SET condition, as indicated by more concave trajectories. This study suggests that both depression and anxiety could be associated with increased cortisol reactivity to SET.

Modelling the associations between parental depressive symptoms, hypomanic traits, and infant socio-emotional development: The mediating role of parental reflective functioning

BackgroundAlthough understanding of maternal hypomania in the postpartum period is gradually improving, the intergenerational pathways of risk associated with hypomania in the context of postpartum depression remain unknown. It is also unclear whether distinct or shared pathways of risk exist for infants exposed to different parental mood characteristics and whether these pathways are mediated by parental reflective functioning. MethodsAn online survey was administered to 1788 parents (89 % mothers, 50 % White) who were primary caregivers of a child under 2. Structural equation modelling techniques were employed to model direct and indirect associations between parental depressive symptoms, hypomanic traits and infant socio-emotional development, investigating the mediating role of parental reflective functioning. ResultsElevated levels of parental depressive symptoms, in the presence of hypomanic personality traits, were directly associated with infant socio-emotional challenges, without affecting parental reflective functioning. However, higher levels of parental hypomanic traits in the postnatal period displayed a fully mediated pathway of risk transmission to infants' socio-emotional development via their negative association with parental reflective functioning. LimitationsResults should be interpreted with caution as the reliance on self-and-parent-reported scales may have introduced biases influenced by individual perceptions and situational factors. Additionally, the cross-sectional design of this study inhibits establishing cause-and-effect relationships. ConclusionsOverall, these results highlight the critical role of both parental depressive symptoms and hypomanic traits on infant socio-emotional development, suggesting that supporting parental mood regulation and mentalizing abilities in the postnatal period could reduce the risk of early maladaptive socio-emotional trajectories in children.

A Mixed Methods Longitudinal Investigation of Maternal Depression Across the Perinatal Period Among Mothers Who Gave Birth During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BackgroundDepression during the perinatal period is associated with negative outcomes for both mothers and children, including higher rates of chronic depression in mothers and physical, emotional, and cognitive issues in children. This study aimed to determine how the stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to prenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms among a sample of peripartum mothers who gave birth during the pandemic. This study also examined risk factors for postpartum depression, including prenatal depressive symptoms, demographic characteristics, timing of birth during the pandemic, pregnancy intention, birth expectations and experiences, and pandemic-related concerns. MethodsThis mixed methods study included data from online surveys using a convenience sample of 284 expectant mothers with due dates from April 2020 to September 2021, and qualitative interviews with a subset of participants. Depressive symptoms and risk for clinical depression were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale during the third trimester of pregnancy and again within 8 weeks postpartum. Multiple regression models examined potential risk factors to determine which variables most predicted participants’ postpartum depressive symptoms and risk of clinical depression. ResultsAmong this nonrepresentative, mostly white, and highly resourced sample, one-third of participants (33.8%) met the criteria for risk of clinical depression during the prenatal period, and 32.7% met this threshold in the postpartum period. Participants who reported higher levels of prenatal depressive symptoms, gave birth earlier in the pandemic, reported lower income, or had more pandemic-related concerns tended to report more postpartum depressive symptoms, adjusting for demographic characteristics and other variables of interest. Peripartum mothers who reported symptoms consistent with risk of clinical depression prenatally were almost four times more likely to screen positive for depression in the postpartum period, even after adjusting for other variables. In interviews, participants attributed negative emotions in pregnancy to uncertainty related to pandemic-related changes in care and expressed grief about missed pregnancy and postpartum experiences. In the postpartum period, some participants reported that their births were ultimately less stressful than anticipated. ConclusionsFindings highlight the need for consistent and frequent depression screenings across the perinatal period, especially among participants who report depressive symptoms prenatally. Participants who gave birth early in the pandemic were at the highest risk of postpartum depression and may continue to need additional supports.