Postnatal Maternal Anxiety Research Articles

Exclusive breastfeeding mitigates the association between prenatal maternal pandemic-related stress and children sleep problems at 24 months of age.

Infant sleep quality is increasingly regarded as an important factor for children long-term functioning and adaptation. The early roots of sleep disturbances are still poorly understood and likely involve a complex interplay between prenatal and postnatal factors. This study investigated whether exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months moderated the association between maternal prenatal pandemic-related stress (PRS) and sleep problems in 24-months children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also explored the potential contribution of maternal postnatal anxiety in these relations. Seventy-eight infants (50% males) and their mothers provided complete data from birth to 24 months. Between 12 and 48 h from birth, maternal PRS during pregnancy was retrospectively reported as well as maternal anxiety and exclusive breastfeeding. Maternal anxiety and exclusive breastfeeding were also reported at 3 and 6 months after childbirth. Children sleep disturbances were reported at 24 months. Bayesian analyses revealed that maternal PRS was positively associated with sleep problems in children who were not exclusively breastfed from birth to 6 months. Findings add to the growing literature on the lasting impact of early pre- and postnatal experiences on child well-being and development.

Maternal mental health and trajectories of Preterm Behavioural Phenotype in infants born after a threatened preterm labour

IntroductionInfants born preterm usually show a Preterm Behavioural Phenotype, which includes mixed symptomatology characterized by lack of attention, anxiety and social difficulties, with a 3-4 times greater risk of disorders in further childhood. Critically, this behavioural pattern is also observed in infants born after a threated preterm labour (TPL), regardless of the presence of prematurity. It is known that the course of this Preterm Behavioural Phenotype shows high variability. Nevertheless, the predictors of this Preterm Behavioural Phenotype prognosis remain unknown.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the predictors of change of Preterm Behavioural Phenotype symptomatology during preschool ages in order to improve prognosis.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, 117 mother–child pairs who experienced TPL were recruited. Preterm Behavioural Phenotype symptoms were assessed at age 2 and 6 using Child Behaviour Checklist. Gestational age at birth, maternal anxiety trait, maternal history of psychological traumas, prenatal and postnatal maternal depression, anxiety, and cortisol as well as parenting stress were included as predictors in a regression model.ResultsWhereas increased internalizing problems were associated with a previous trauma history (p = .003), increased externalizing symptoms were linked to prenatal and postnatal maternal anxiety (p = .004 and p = .018, respectively).ConclusionsIdentifying modifiable risk factors, such as the history of maternal traumas and anxiety at TPL diagnosis and postpartum is recommendable to enhance better prognosis of Preterm Behavioural Phenotype in the offspring.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The longitudinal impact of pre- and postnatal maternal depression and anxiety on children's cognitive and language development.

We investigated the longitudinal associations among maternal pre- and postnatal depression, maternal anxiety, and children's language and cognitive development followed from 15 to 61 months. Furthermore, we assessed the protective role of children's early print experiences with books against the adverse effect of maternal depression on language development. Data for mothers and children (51.7% boys, 95% White, N = 11,662) were from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Prenatal maternal depression held an adverse association with child language (β = -.16, p = .002). Moreover, the risk was greater for girls than boys (β = .19, p = .02). In addition, prenatal depression was significantly and negatively associated with child verbal intelligence quotient (β = -.11, p = .02) and performance intelligence quotient (β = -.12, p = .01). In contrast, postnatal depression or anxiety were not unique predictors of child outcomes. Importantly, children's early experiences with books, as measured by the reported frequency of parent-child shared reading, moderated the negative association between maternal depression and child language development (β = .30, p < .001). Although modest in size, these findings inform models of child risk and resilience related to maternal psychopathology. The results also have implications for clinical programs as well as for prevention and intervention studies focusing on at-home early literacy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Predictors of change in emotional regulation from 6 to 30 months of age in infants born after a threatened preterm labour.

IntroductionEmotional dysregulation are considered early manifestations of neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent research has shown that a threatened preterm labour (TPL) represents an adverse prenatal event that involves temperament disturbances, even in absence of prematurity. Thus, full-term TPL infants at 6 months of age are characterized by lower positive affect, higher negative affect, and worse emotional regulation relative to a full-term non-TPL control group.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to explore the predictors of change of emotional infant competences.MethodsThis prospective cohort study recruited mothers who suffered from a TPL. Infants’ temperament assessment was performed at 6 and 30 months of age using the Rothbart Behaviour Questionnaires, examining positive affectivity/surgency, negative emotionality, and orienting and emotional regulatory capacity. A regression model was carried out, including gestational age at birth, maternal anxiety trait, maternal history of psychological traumas, prenatal and postnatal maternal depression, anxiety, and cortisol as well as parenting stress as predictors.ResultsIncreased positive affectivity was related with lower paternal stress (p = .044). Maternal history of trauma and parenting stress was associated with increased negative emotionality (p = .037 and p = .045, respectively). Increased emotional regulation disturbance was linked to low gestational age at birth (p &lt; .001), higher postnatal depression (p = .002), higher prenatal anxiety at TPL diagnosis (p = .039) and higher postnatal anxiety (p = .008).ConclusionsTherefore, maternal previous traumas, maternal psychopathology from pregnancy to postpartum as well as parenting stress should be considered in psychological treatment to improve infant’s emotional competences and prevent subsequent neuropsychiatric disorders.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The impact of maternal psychopathology on psychomotor development trajectories in infants born after a threatened preterm labour from 6 to 30 months of age

IntroductionThreatened preterm labor (TPL) represents an adverse prenatal event that can impact maternal mental health in the long term. Additionally, this prenatal event can disrupt fetal neurodevelopment, primarily during the third trimester of pregnancy when neuronal connections in the fetus are established. Indeed, infants born following TPL exhibit delayed communication and socio-individual skills at 6 months of age, regardless of prematurity. Furthermore, maternal mental health during the postpartum period can also influence the offspring’s psychomotor development.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to examine the impact of maternal psychopathology on psychomotor development trajectories in infants born after a TPL from 6 to 30 months of age.MethodsThis prospective cohort study recruited 117 mother–child pairs who suffered from a TPL. Psychomotor assessment was performed at 6 and 30 months of age using the communication and socio-individual subscales of Ages &amp; Stages Questionnaires for psychomotor development. A regression model was carried out, including gestational age at birth, maternal anxiety trait, maternal history of psychological traumas, prenatal and postnatal maternal depression, anxiety, and cortisol as well as parenting stress as predictors.ResultsIncreased communication delays were associated with higher maternal anxiety levels (p &lt; 0.001), elevated maternal depression scores (p= .0003), and increased cortisol levels (p = .004) during postpartum. Similarly, elevated cortisol levels after 6 months postpartum were predictive of increased Personal-Social delays (p = .0018).ConclusionsMaternal postpartum psychopathology was the main determinant of the course of psychomotor developmental disturbances. Therefore, infants born after TPL, whose mothers display postpartum psychopathology, should be identified and considered for psychological treatment to improve psychomotor delays in infants.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Is relevant postpartum maternal psychopathology on the prognosis of psychomotor development in infants born after a threatened preterm labour across preschool ages?

IntroductionThreatened preterm labour (TPL) is associated with long-lasting neurodevelopmental challenges, independent of prematurity. For instance, it is known that infants born a TPL show delayed communication and socio-individual skills, regardless of the gestational age at birth. Furthermore, TPL constitutes an adverse prenatal event that can induce maternal anxiety or depression, even during postpartum period, which can produce a deleterious effect of the prognosis of infant’s psychomotor development.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the influence of maternal psychopathology as well as other peripartum variables on the course of psychomotor development in children born after a TPL between the ages of 2 and 6.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, 117 mother–child pairs who experienced TPL were recruited. Psychomotor development was assessed using the Ages &amp; Stages Questionnaires-Third edition at age 2 and 6. A regression model was carried out, including gestational age at birth, maternal anxiety trait, maternal history of psychological traumas, prenatal and postnatal maternal depression, anxiety, and cortisol as well as parenting stress as predictors.ResultsLow gestational week at birth emerged as the most relevant factor in the course of increased communication delay (p &lt; 0.001). However, parental psychopathology during prenatal or postnatal stages was not a relevant factor in the prognosis of Communication skills or Socio-Individual development.ConclusionsGestation age at birth rather than parental psychopathology during peripartum period was the most relevant predictor of the course of psychomotor development between 2 to 6 years of age. Further studies should examine other potential modifiable predictors to moderate the impact of gestational age on psychomotor development.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The association of maternal-infant interactive behavior, dyadic frontal alpha asymmetry, and maternal anxiety in a smartphone-adapted still face paradigm

Mother-infant interactions form a strong basis for emotion regulation development in infants. These interactions can be affected by various factors, including maternal postnatal anxiety. Electroencephalography (EEG) hyperscanning allows for simultaneous assessment of mother-infant brain-to-behavior association during stressful events, such as the still-face paradigm (SFP). This study aimed at investigating dyadic interactive behavior and brain-to-behavior association across SFP and identifying neural correlates of mother-infant interactions in the context of maternal postnatal anxiety. We measured frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), a physiological correlate of emotion regulation and a potential marker of risk for psychopathology. To emulate real-life interactions, EEG and behavioral data were collected from 38 mother-infant dyads during a smartphone-adapted dual-SFP. Although the behavioral data showed a clear still-face effect for the smartphone-adapted SFP, this was not reflected in the infant or maternal FAA. Brain-to-behavior data showed higher infant negative affect being associated with more infant leftward FAA during the still-face episodes. Finally, mothers with higher postnatal anxiety showed more right FAA during the first still-face episode, suggesting negative affectivity and a need to withdraw from the situation. Our results form a baseline for further research assessing the effects of maternal postnatal anxiety on infants’ FAA and dyadic interactive behavior.

Relationship Between Parental Postnatal Distress and 5-Year Mental Health Outcomes of Children Born at

The purpose of this study was to compare mental health symptoms and diagnoses at age 5 years between children born <30 weeks' gestation and their term-born peers and associations with postnatal symptoms of depression and anxiety in their mothers and fathers. Parents of children born <30 weeks' gestation (n = 106) and at term (n = 105) completed measures of anxiety and depression symptoms within 4 weeks of birth and questionnaires assessing child socioemotional symptoms and mental health/neurodevelopmental diagnostic criteria at age 5 years. At age 5 years, children born <30 weeks' gestation were more likely to show clinically concerning levels of total difficulties (odds ratio [OR] = 3.97, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-13.05), emotional problems (OR = 3.71, 95% CI, 1.14-12.15), and inattention/hyperactivity problems (OR = 4.34, 95% CI, 1.51-12.47) than term-born peers. They also showed higher rates of mental health/neurodevelopmental diagnoses than their term-born peers (18% vs 9%), although evidence for the group difference was weak ( p = 0.08). Maternal postnatal anxiety and depression symptoms were related to poorer child mental health outcomes in many domains. There was little evidence that paternal postnatal anxiety/depression symptoms were related to child outcomes or that any associations varied by birth group. Children born <30 weeks' gestation showed more mental health symptoms than their term-born peers at age 5 years. Maternal postnatal distress was associated with poorer child mental health across both groups, reinforcing the need for early identification and support of mental health distress in the postnatal period to improve longer-term child well-being.

Is Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Methylation Involved in the Association Between Prenatal Stress and Maternal Postnatal Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic is a collective trauma that may expose susceptible individuals to high levels of stress. Pregnant women represent a high-risk population, considering that pregnancy is a period of heightened neuroplasticity and susceptibility to stress through epigenetic mechanisms. Previous studies showed that the methylation status of the BDNF gene is linked with prenatal stress exposure. The goals of this study were (a) to assess the association between pandemic-related stress and postnatal anxiety and (b) to investigate the potential role of maternal BDNF methylation as a significant mediator of this association.MethodsIn the present study, we report data on the association among pandemic-related stress during pregnancy, maternal BDNF methylation, and postnatal anxiety symptoms. Pandemic-related stress and postnatal anxiety were assessed through self-report instruments. BDNF methylation was estimated in 11 CpG sites in DNA from mothers’ buccal cells. Complete data were available from 108 mothers.ResultsResults showed that pandemic-related stress was associated with an increased risk of postnatal anxiety, r = 0.20, p < 0.05. CpG-specific BDNF methylation was significantly associated with both prenatal pandemic-related stress, r = 0.21, p < 0.05, and postnatal maternal anxious symptoms, r = 0.25, p = 0.01. Moreover, a complete mediation by the BDNF CpG6 methylation emerged between pandemic-related stress during pregnancy and postnatal maternal anxiety, ACME = 0.66, p < 0.05.ConclusionThese findings suggest that BDNF epigenetic regulation by pandemic-related stress might contribute to increase the risk of anxiety in mothers. Policymakers should prioritize the promotion of health and wellbeing in pregnant women and mothers during the present healthcare emergency.

Anxiety disorders across middle childhood and early adolescence in a UK population-based cohort.

Patterns of development and underlying factors explaining anxiety disorders in children and adolescents are under-researched, despite their high prevalence, impact and associations with other mental disorders. We aimed to a] understand the pattern and persistence of specific anxiety disorders; b] examine differing trajectories of symptoms of specific anxiety disorders and; c] examine socio-demographic and health-related predictors of persistent anxiety disorder-specific symptoms, across middle childhood to early adolescence. The current study used data from 8122 participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children birth cohort. The Development and Wellbeing Assessment questionnaire was administered to parents to capture child and adolescent anxiety total scores and DAWBA-derived diagnoses. Separation anxiety, specific phobia, social anxiety, acute stress reaction, and generalized anxiety at 8, 10 and 13years were selected. Further, we included the following socio-demographic and health-related predictors: sex, birth weight, sleep difficulties at 3.5years, ethnicity, family adversity, maternal age at birth, maternal postnatal anxiety, maternal postnatal depression, maternal bonding, maternal socio-economic status and maternal education. Different anxiety disorders presented different prevalence and patterns of development over time. Further, latent class growth analyses yielded a trajectory characterized by individuals with persistent high levels of anxiety across childhood and adolescence; for specific phobia (high=5.8%; moderate=20.5%; low=73.6%), social anxiety (high=3.4%; moderate=12.1%; low=84.5%), acute stress reaction (high=1.9%; low=98.1%) and generalized anxiety (high=5.4%; moderate=21.7%; low=72.9%). Finally, the risk factors associated with each of the persistent high levels of anxiety disorders were child sleeping difficulties and postnatal maternal depression and anxiety. Our findings show that a small group of children and young adolescents continue to suffer from frequent and severe anxiety. When considering treatment strategies for anxiety disorders in this group, children's sleep difficulties and postnatal maternal depression and anxiety need to be assessed as these may predict a more prolonged and severe course of illness.

Maternal postnatal depression and anxiety and the risk for mental health disorders in adolescent offspring: Findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort.

The impacts of postnatal psychiatric disorders on different types of mental health problems in offspring are unclear. We investigated the prospective associations of maternal postnatal depression, and anxiety, with offspring depression, anxiety, psychotic-like experiences and Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms, in adolescence, and examined whether these were independent of each other. Data were obtained from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort. Maternal postnatal depression and anxiety at 8 weeks were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Crown-Crisp Index, respectively. Offspring mental health outcomes were measured at 10-13 years old, using a variety of questionnaire-based and interview assessments. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations between maternal postnatal risk factors and offspring mental health, and path analysis was used to investigate the pathways of maternal postnatal factors to adolescent offspring outcomes. Data were available for 14,054 mothers with information reported on postnatal depression and 13,892 on postnatal anxiety. Logistic regression analyses found significant associations between maternal postnatal depression and offspring anxiety at 10 years old (odds ratio = 1.039, 95% confidence interval = [1.005, 1.073], p = 0.022) and between maternal postnatal anxiety and offspring psychotic experiences at 12/13 years old (odds ratio = 1.042, 95% confidence interval = [1.008, 1.077], p = 0.016). These significant associations remained after applying path analyses, when we controlled for potential offspring psychopathological overlay. These findings suggest that mothers with postnatal depression are more likely to have offspring with anxiety at 10 years old, and that mothers with postnatal anxiety are more likely to have offspring with psychotic experiences at 12/13 years old. Our findings suggest specific pathways in the association between postnatal anxiety/depression and offspring mental health and contribute to the importance of identifying mothers and their offspring with increased vulnerability to adverse outcomes resulting from postnatal mental health disorders.

HYPNO-BREASTFEEDING REDUCES ANXIETY OF BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; COVID-19 pandemic is a time when a lot of people are vulnerable for virus transmission which can cause anxiety and psychological disorders, including for postpartum and breastfeeding mothers. The harmful effects of postpartum anxiety, if not managed properly, can affect the physical and psychological health of both mother and baby. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hypno-breastfeeding on reducing postnatal maternal anxiety.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; The design of this study was quasi-experimental design with one pretest-posttest group, without control group. This study was conducted at the South Denpasar Health Center III with samples of 32 respondents who met the inclusion criteria. The sampling technique used in this research was purposive sampling. The independent variable in this study was hypno-breastfeeding and the dependent variable was decreased anxiety. Data were collected using the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (ZSAS) questionnaire and data analysis was carried out using univariate and bivariate test (t test).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Result:&lt;/strong&gt; The results showed that most of the breastfeeding mother before being given hypno-breastfeeding (65%) experienced moderate anxiety and after being given hypno-breastfeeding, most mother (47%) experienced mild anxiety. The bivariate results show the t-count value of 6.851 with p-value (0.000) which showed that there is a significant effect of hypno-breastfeeding on reducing anxiety of breastfeeding mothers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; Hypno-breastfeeding can be applied to breastfeeding mothers to reduce anxiety and make exclusive breastfeeding successful.&lt;/p&gt;

Prevalence of Maternal Postnatal Anxiety and Its Association With Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors: A Multicentre Study in Italy.

Anxiety is a common perinatal disorder that can cause severe adverse consequences. This study (a) assesses the prevalence of maternal postnatal anxious symptomatology, and (b) analyses its association with demographic and socioeconomic variables as well as obstetric and other psychosocial variables. The assessment included 307 mothers aged ≥18 years with a biological baby aged ≤ 52 weeks and from seven Italian healthcare centres, evaluated using a Psychosocial and Clinical Assessment Form (also covering demographic and socioeconomic factors), and the state scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. We found an overall prevalence of self-reported postnatal anxious symptoms of 34.2%. More specifically, the prevalence was 34.5% at 1–24 weeks postpartum, and 30.8% at >24 weeks postpartum. No associations between postnatal anxious symptoms and demographic or socioeconomic variables were observed. As regards the other variables, the findings indicated antenatal depression or anxiety, parity, and current psychological support from the partner as having the strongest relationships.

The relationship between prenatal attachment and postnatal adaptation, maternal anxiety and breast milk sodium level

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between maternal-fetal attachment and breast milk sodium (BMS) levels. MethodsThis prospective case-control study was conducted at Baskent University. Third-trimester low-risk pregnancies were included in the study. After obtaining informed consent, the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory 1 (STAI 1) and STAI 2 were administered. After delivery, BMS values were measured at regular intervals. ResultsThe mean age of the mothers and the mean gestational age were 29.6 ± 3.4 years and 38.4 ± 0.9 weeks, respectively. The mean STAI -1, STAI-2, and PAI scores were 38.2 ± 7.1, 38.8 ± 6.9, and 41.6 ± 10, respectively. When the study group was classified according to BMS levels, no differences were observed between the groups in terms of pregnancy STAI-1, pregnancy STAI-2, Muller PAI, and STAI-1 scores of the 5th, 15th, and 30th days. There was no correlation between the BMS levels on the 5th −15th days and pregnancy STAI-1, Pregnancy STAI-2, Muller PAI, and the STAI-1 scores of the 5th-10th-30th days. However, the BMS level on the 30th day had a positive significant correlation with the STAI-1 score on the 15th day (r = 0.473, p= .006). Additionally, the STAI-1 scores on the 30th day showed that there was a significant correlation with STAI-1 on the 5th day (r = 0.416, p= .015), STAI-1 on the 15th day (r = 0.497, p= .003), and breast milk sodium levels on the 30th day (r = 0.615, p< .001). ConclusionWe found no relationship between PAI scores and BMS levels on the 5th-10th-30th day but STAI scores on the 15th day and 30th day had a positive correlation with BMS levels on the 30th day. STAI-1 and STAI-2 scores during pregnancy were positively correlated with STAI scores in the postnatal period.

Prenatal maternal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and infant regulatory capacity at 3 months: A longitudinal study.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global traumatic experience for citizens, especially during sensitive time windows of heightened plasticity such as pregnancy and neonatal life. Pandemic-related stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy may act as an early risk factor for infants' regulatory capacity development by altering maternal psychosocial well-being (e.g., increased anxiety, reduced social support) and caregiving environment (e.g., greater parenting stress, impaired mother-infant bonding). The aim of the present longitudinal study was to assess the consequences of pandemic-related prenatal stress on infants' regulatory capacity. A sample of 163 mother-infant dyads was enrolled at eight maternity units in northern Italy. They provided complete data about prenatal stress, perceived social support, postnatal anxiety symptoms, parenting stress, mother-infant bonding, and infants' regulatory capacity at 3 months of age. Women who experienced emotional stress and received partial social support during pregnancy reported higher anxious symptoms. Moreover, maternal postnatal anxiety was indirectly linked to the infants' regulatory capacity at 3 months, mediated by parenting stress and mother-infant bonding. Dedicated preventive interventions should be delivered to mothers and should be focused on protecting the mother-infant dyad from the detrimental effects of pandemic-related stress during the COVID-19 healthcare emergency.

Infants' neural responses to emotional faces are related to maternal anxiety.

Postnatal maternal anxiety is common (estimates as high as 40% prevalence) and is associated with altered mother-infant interactions (e.g., reduced maternal emotional expression and engagement). Neural circuitry supporting infants' face and emotion processing develops in their first year. Thus, early exposure to maternal anxiety may impact infants' developing understanding of emotional displays. We examine whether maternal anxiety is associated with individual differences in typically developing infants' neural responses to emotional faces. One hundred and forty two mother-infant dyads were assessed when infants were 5, 7, or 12 months old. Infants' electroencephalographic (EEG) data were recorded while passively viewing female happy, fearful, and angry faces. Three event-related potential (ERP) components, each linked to face and emotion processing, were evaluated: NC, N290, and P400. Infant ERP amplitude was related to concurrent maternal-report anxiety assessed with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Trait form). Greater maternal anxiety predicted more negative NC amplitude for happy and fearful faces in left and mid-central scalp regions, beyond covarying influences of maternal depression symptoms, infant negative emotionality, and infant age. Postnatal maternal anxiety is related to infants' neural processing of emotional expressions. Infants of mothers endorsing high trait anxiety may need additional attentional resources to process happy and fearful faces (expressions less likely experienced in mother-infant interactions). Future research should investigate mechanisms underlying this association, given possibilities include experiential, genetic, and prenatal factors.

Support from friends moderates the relationship between repetitive negative thinking and postnatal wellbeing during COVID-19

ABSTRACT Background: Increasing evidence has linked repetitive negative thinking (RNT) to postnatal depression and anxiety, yet the factors moderating this relationship have been minimally investigated. During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, social restrictions imposed to reduce viral transmission limited access to social support, which is critical to postnatal psychological wellbeing – potentially intensifying RNT. Objective: We examined whether perceived social support (from friends, family, and a significant other) played a moderating role in the relationship between RNT and maternal postnatal anxiety and depressive symptoms. Methods: A sample of women (N = 251) who had given birth in the preceding 12 months completed an online battery of standardised measures during the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ of May 2020. Results: As predicted, social support moderated the relationship between RNT and depression such that the association between RNT and depression was stronger for women who reported lower levels of social support. Interestingly, this finding emerged for social support from friends only; for support from family and significant other, social support did not play a moderating role. Further, and unexpectedly, overall social support did not moderate the relationship between RNT and postnatal anxiety, however, social support from friends was a significant moderator. Conclusions: High levels of perceived social support from friends (but not family or significant others) buffered the effects of RNT on depression and anxiety during the postpartum period. Strategies to bolster peer social support may be a valuable inclusion in interventions to prevent and treat postnatal depression and anxiety.

Prenatal and postnatal maternal anxiety and amygdala structure and function in young children

Anxiety symptoms are relatively common during pregnancy and are associated with behavioural problems in children. The amygdala is involved in emotion regulation, and its volume and function are associated with exposure to prenatal maternal depression. The associations between perinatal maternal anxiety and children’s amygdala structure and function remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine associations between prenatal and postnatal maternal anxiety and amygdala structure and function in children. Maternal anxiety was measured during the second trimester of pregnancy and 12 weeks postpartum. T1-weighted anatomical data and functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 54 children (25 females), between the ages of 3–7 years. Amygdala volume was calculated and functional connectivity maps were created between the amygdalae and the rest of the brain. Spearman correlations were used to test associations between amygdala volume/functional connectivity and maternal anxiety symptoms, controlling for maternal depression symptoms. Second trimester maternal anxiety symptoms were negatively associated with functional connectivity between the left amygdala and clusters in bilateral parietal regions; higher maternal anxiety was associated with increased negative connectivity. Postnatal maternal anxiety symptoms were positively associated with child amygdala volume, but this finding did not remain significant while controlling for total brain volume. These functional connectivity differences may underlie behavioral outcomes in children exposed to maternal anxiety during pregnancy.

Anxiety Disorders Across Childhood and Adolescence in a U.K Population-Based Cohort

Background: Patterns of development and underlying factors explaining anxiety disorders in children and adolescents have been an under-researched area, despite their high prevalence, impact on social and educational functioning and associations with other mental disorders. We aimed to characterize the development of anxiety disorders, to understand the underlying trajectories of each of the anxiety disorders, and to examine the possible socio-demographic and health-related predictors of persistent anxiety disorders, across childhood and adolescence using data from a large birth cohort. Methods: This cohort study assessed 13988 participants in the ALSPAC birth cohort. The Development and Wellbeing Assessment (DAWBA) questionnaire was administered to parents to capture child and adolescent anxiety total scores and anxiety diagnoses. The following anxiety disorders at 8, 10 and 13 years were selected: separation anxiety, specific phobia, social anxiety, acute stress reaction, and generalized anxiety. Further, we included the following socio-demographic and health-related factors: sex, birth weight, sleep difficulties at 3.5 years, ethnicity, family adversity, maternal age at birth, maternal postnatal anxiety, maternal postnatal depression, maternal bonding, maternal socio-economic status and maternal education. Descriptive analyses for anxiety diagnoses and symptomatology, group trajectories of each of the anxiety disorders using latent class growth analysis, and associations with socio-demographic and health-related factors were quantified. Outcomes: Different anxiety disorders presented different prevalence and patterns of development over time. Further, latent class growth analyses yielded a trajectory characterized by individuals with persistent high levels of anxiety across childhood and adolescence, for specific phobia, social anxiety, acute stress reaction and generalized anxiety. Finally, different risk factors were specifically and significantly associated with each of the persistent high levels of anxiety disorders, with child sleeping difficulties and postnatal maternal depression and anxiety being the most important. Interpretation: Ours findings show that despite trends of general improvement in most individuals with anxiety disorders, a small group of children and adolescents continue to suffer from frequent and severe anxiety. Further, when considering treatment strategies for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, children’s sleep difficulties and postnatal maternal depression and anxiety need to be assessed as these may predict a more prolonged and severe course of illness. Funding: This study was supported by the UK Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust. Declaration of Interest: We declare no competing interests. Ethical Approval: Ethical approval was obtained from the ALSPAC Law and Ethics Committee and local research ethics committees. Informed consent was obtained from participants following the recommendations of the ALSPAC Ethics and Law Committee at the time.

Maternal Anxiety Symptoms and Self-Regulation Capacity Are Associated With the Unpredictability of Maternal Sensory Signals in Caregiving Behavior.

The unpredictability of maternal sensory signals in caregiving behavior has been recently found to be linked with infant neurodevelopment. The research area is new, and very little is yet known, how maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms and specific parental characteristics relate to the unpredictable maternal care. The aims of the current study were to explore how pre- and postnatal maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms and self-regulation capacity associate with the unpredictability of maternal sensory signals. The study population consisted of 177 mother-infant dyads. The unpredictability of the maternal sensory signals was explored from the video-recorded mother-infant free play situation when the infant was 8 months of age. Pre- and postnatal anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured by questionnaires prenatally at gwks 14, 24, 34, and 3 and 6 months postpartum. Maternal self-regulation capacity, a trait considered to be stable in adulthood, was assessed using adult temperament questionnaire when the infant was 12 months of age. We found that elevated prenatal maternal anxiety symptoms associated with higher unpredictability in the maternal care while depressive symptoms were unrelated to the unpredictability of maternal care. Moreover, the association was moderated by maternal self-regulation capacity, as higher anxiety symptoms during pre-and postnatal period were associated more unpredictability among the mothers with low self-regulation capacity. The combination of higher amount of maternal anxiety symptoms and lower self-regulation capacity seems to constitute specific risk for the unpredictable maternal care.