Anxiety Symptoms In Mothers Research Articles

Geotemporal analysis of perinatal care changes and maternal mental health: an example from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our primary objective was to document COVID-19 induced changes to perinatal care across the USA and examine the implication of these changes for maternal mental health. We performed an observational cross-sectional study with convenience sampling using direct patient reports from 1918 postpartum and 3868 pregnant individuals collected between April 2020 and December 2020 from 10 states across the USA. We leverage a subgroup of these participants who gave birth prior to March 2020 to estimate the pre-pandemic prevalence of specific birthing practices as a comparison. Our primary analyses describe the prevalence and timing of perinatal care changes, compare perinatal care changes depending on when and where individuals gave birth, and assess the linkage between perinatal care alterations and maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms. Seventy-eight percent of pregnant participants and 63% of postpartum participants reported at least one change to their perinatal care between March and August 2020. However, the prevalence and nature of specific perinatal care changes occurred unevenly over time and across geographic locations. The separation of infants and mothers immediately after birth and the cancelation of prenatal visits were associated with worsened depression and anxiety symptoms in mothers after controlling for sociodemographic factors, mental health history, number of pregnancy complications, and general stress about the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analyses reveal widespread changes to perinatal care across the US that fluctuated depending on where and when individuals gave birth. Disruptions to perinatal care may also exacerbate mental health concerns, so focused treatments that can mitigate the negative psychiatric sequelae of interrupted care are warranted.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00737-022-01252-6.

Patterns and predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms in mothers affected by previous prenatal loss in the ALSPAC birth cohort

BackgroundStudies investigating the patterns or predictors of psychological distress in expecting and postpartum mothers affected by previous prenatal loss, are limited. The study objectives were to explore longitudinal trajectory patterns of depressive and anxiety symptoms in mothers affected by previous prenatal loss from early in a subsequent pregnancy up to pre-adolescence, and to identify early factors predictive of elevated symptom trajectory patterns. MethodsA total of 2854 mothers from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children self-identified as having experienced a previous prenatal loss. A latent class analysis identified trajectory patterns of symptoms across 10 timepoints from 18-weeks' gestation up to 134-months postpartum, multivariate regression analysis identified predictors of elevated symptom trajectories, and hierarchical regression analysis determined predictive accuracy between predictors and elevated trajectory patterns. ResultsThree distinct longitudinal trajectory patterns of depressive and anxiety symptoms reflected low (54%), sub-clinical (34%), and clinical symptoms (12%). Key factors that predicted elevated symptom trajectory patterns better than increased symptom scores early in subsequent pregnancy include history of severe depression or other psychiatric problem, experiencing three or more stressful events from mid-pregnancy, inadequate social support, history of induced abortion, and history of abuse. Predictive accuracy of elevated trajectories was 0.542 (depression) and 0.432 (anxiety). LimitationsGeneralizability may be compromised by attrition, under-reporting, and recall bias. ConclusionIncluding factors predictive of long-term sub-clinical or clinical depressive and anxiety symptoms in early assessments will improve clinician's ability to identify mothers who may benefit from immediate and/or ongoing monitoring, and psychotherapeutic intervention after prenatal loss.

Symptoms of Anxiety in Mothers During the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Structural Equation Model Approach.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has forced millions of people to stay confined at home, increasing symptoms of anxiety and stress levels. Women who are also mothers, for their part, not only face the demands of motherhood but must combine working life with family life locked down in their homes. Main objective was to develop an explanatory model of the psychological consequences of COVID-19 and parental and perceived stress in mothers. A total of 261 mothers were evaluated coinciding with the lockdown imposed by the Spanish Government. The model displayed adequate indices and it was found that symptoms of anxiety in mothers increased the levels of perceived stress. The model allows to understand the close relationships between the psychological consequences of lockdown and stress in mothers. Understanding these relationships will help to prepare and direct psychological interventions in this population in the case of a possible new surge.

Early signs of autism in infants whose mothers suffered from a threatened preterm labour: a 30-month prospective follow-up study.

Infants born after a threatened preterm labour (TPL infants) are at high risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studying this population may provide insight on the pathophysiological underpinnings of this condition. This study aimed to (i) ascertain the presence and autistic symptom load in TPL infants aged age 30months relative to non-TPL infants, regardless of preterm birth; (ii) explore the association between early (at 6months) psychomotor development and temperament features with the autistic symptom load of TPL infants at age 30months and (iii) examine the association among perinatal risk factors for ASD development with the autistic symptom load of TPL infants at age 30months. A group of 111 mother-infant pairs recruited at TPL diagnosis and a group of 47 healthy mother-infant controls completed the follow-up. Irrespective of preterm birth, TPL infants showed higher autistic symptom load at age 30months than non-TPL infants. TPL infants presented poorer communication and problem-solving skills, reduced smiling and laughter, and greater vocal reactivity at age 6months, predicting higher autistic symptom load at age 30months. Higher levels of anxiety symptoms in TPL mothers after a TPL diagnosis also predicted higher autistic symptom load for the infants at age 30months. These results suggest that TPL infants may be an undescribed cluster, with features that differentiate them from other "at-risk" populations. These findings support the need for routine assessment of TPL infants and screening of anxiety symptoms in mothers.

Parent–Child Anxiety Symptoms in Emerging Adults: Moderation by Gender and Religiosity

Although research has indicated that parent and child anxiety are connected, religiosity may serve as a protective factor and help weaken this connection. The current study asked 1,002 emerging adults (67.7% female) to report on their mothers’ and fathers’ anxiety symptoms and their own anxiety symptoms and religiosity. Structural equation modeling indicated that personal religiosity served as a moderator between the perceived anxiety symptoms of mothers and fathers and emerging adult anxiety symptoms for daughters but not sons. Participant gender also suggested a 3-way interaction among variables as the interactions occurred for daughters but not sons. Additionally, parent gender suggested a 3-way interaction, given that the results indicated that for emerging adult daughters, the interaction was stronger for mothers than fathers. Thus, emerging adult religiosity as well as parent and child gender may be contributing factors to better understanding of how offspring anxiety relates to that of their parents.

Depression and anxiety in mothers of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Background Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood neurodevelopmental illness. It disrupts not only the child but also the parents. Dealing with children with ADHD can have unpleasant effects on close relatives, particularly mothers. Objective To detect depression and anxiety between mothers of children with ADHD. Patients and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 mothers of children with ADHD. Interviews were conducted with mothers and their children. Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales and Conner's Parent Rating Scale-revised, long version, were applied to all children. Participating mothers underwent Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and Beck's Depression Inventory − II scale, and their socioeconomic level was measured by the El-Gilany scale for measuring family socioeconomic status. Results This study showed the presence of depression in 48% of mothers of children with ADHD. Presence of anxiety was seen in 64% of mothers of children with ADHD. There is a positive correlation between depression and anxiety of mothers and severity of symptoms of ADHD in their child. In our study, there is no relation between depression and anxiety of mothers and their child's type of ADHD. Conclusion Our study determined the presence of depression and anxiety symptoms in mothers of children with ADHD. The severity of depression and anxiety in mothers increases if the symptoms (attention deficit-hyperactivity-impulsivity) increase in their children.

Religiosity/Spirituality and Mental Health Outcomes in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Mediating Role of Positive Thinking.

This study examines associations between dimensions of religiosity/spirituality (R/S) and anxiety symptoms in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mothers' positive ways of thinking and romantic relationship satisfaction were examined as mediators of associations. The extent to which child ASD symptom severity and maternal broad autism phenotype (BAP) behaviors predicted interactions with religious community members was also examined. Seventy-three Christian mothers of a child with ASD completed online surveys. Higher levels of spirituality were associated with viewing their child with ASD as providing a positive contribution to the family. These positive views were, in turn, associated with less anxiety symptoms. Mothers of children with more severe ASD symptoms also reported greater negative interactions with members of their congregation.

Study of Anxiety Symptoms in Mothers of ADHD Children

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood onset psychiatric disorders that is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD can affect social, cognitive and academic performance of children. All these impairments of psychosocial functioning can affect the quality of life of both patients and their families. Based on that, it is suggested that parents, especially mothers of ADHD children, display higher levels of depression and anxiety. Aim of the work: This study aimed to compare anxiety symptoms in the mothers with ADHD children with control group. Patients and Methods: Fifty mothers of the ADHD children as study group and fifty mothers with children without any psychiatric disorder as control group. All were evaluated with to a semi-structured interview and Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale. Results: This study showed that 19 in mothers of study group (32%) had no anxiety symptoms while 31(68%) had anxiety symptoms and 13 (26%) had above sever anxiety. In the control group 35 (70%) had no anxiety and 15(30%) had anxiety symptoms while 3 (6%) had above sever anxiety. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (p value = 0 .05). There was no significant relation between intensity of maternal anxiety and the intensity of ADHD symptoms in their children. Conclusion: The present study suggested that the presence and intensity of anxiety symptoms in mothers of ADHD children are higher than the control group and there was no significant association with ADHD symptoms in children.

Study of Anxiety Symptoms in Mothers of ADHD Children

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood onset psychiatric disorders that is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD can affect social, cognitive and academic performance of children. All these impairments of psychosocial functioning can affect the quality of life of both patients and their families. Based on that, it is suggested that parents, especially mothers of ADHD children, display higher levels of depression and anxiety. Aim of the work: This study aimed to compare anxiety symptoms in the mothers with ADHD children with control group. Patients and Methods: Fifty mothers of the ADHD children as study group and fifty mothers with children without any psychiatric disorder as control group. All were evaluated with to a semi-structured interview and Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale. Results: This study showed that 19 in mothers of study group (32%) had no anxiety symptoms while 31(68%) had anxiety symptoms and 13 (26%) had above sever anxiety. In the control group 35 (70%) had no anxiety and 15(30%) had anxiety symptoms while 3 (6%) had above sever anxiety. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (p value = 0 .05). There was no significant relation between intensity of maternal anxiety and the intensity of ADHD symptoms in their children. Conclusion: The present study suggested that the presence and intensity of anxiety symptoms in mothers of ADHD children are higher than the control group and there was no significant association with ADHD symptoms in children.

Family rituals, financial burden, and mothers' adjustment in pediatric cancer.

The financial burden of childhood cancer may contribute to the distress that parents experience during and after treatment. Inconsistent relationships between financial burden and parental psychological distress highlight the need to identify psychosocial factors that may moderate this relationship. In this study, we aimed to determine if family ritual meaning moderates the relationship between financial burden and anxiety and depression symptoms among mothers of children with cancer. Portuguese mothers of children with cancer on-treatment and off-treatment (N = 244) completed measures of financial burden, anxiety and depression symptoms, and family ritual meaning. Moderating effects were tested using hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Family ritual meaning buffered the effect of financial burden on anxiety, but not on depression symptoms. The relationship between financial burden and anxiety symptoms was not significant when mothers endorsed higher levels of family ritual meaning. Although preliminary, the current findings suggest that high levels of perceived family ritual meaning may constitute a protective factor against the effect of financial burden on mothers' anxiety symptoms. Promoting family ritual meaning might be an effective approach to reducing anxiety symptoms of mothers of children with cancer in the context of financial burden. (PsycINFO Database Record

Associations between Screen-Based Sedentary Behaviour and Anxiety Symptoms in Mothers with Young Children.

ObjectivesAnxiety is a serious illness and women (including mothers with young children) are at particular risk. Although physical activity (PA) may reduce anxiety risk, little research has investigated the link between sedentary behaviour and anxiety risk. The aim of this study was to examine the association between screen-based sedentary behaviour and anxiety symptoms, independent of PA, amongst mothers with young children.MethodsDuring 2013–2014, 528 mothers with children aged 2–5 years completed self-report measures of recreational screen-based sedentary behaviour (TV/DVD/video viewing, computer/e-games/hand held device use) and anxiety symptoms (using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS-A). Linear regression analyses examined the cross-sectional association between screen-based sedentary behaviour and anxiety symptoms.ResultsIn models that adjusted for key demographic and behavioural covariates (including moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA, MVPA), computer/device use (B = 0.212; 95% CI = 0.048, 0.377) and total screen time (B = 0.109; 95% CI = 0.014, 0.205) were positively associated with heightened anxiety symptoms. TV viewing was not associated with anxiety symptoms in either model.ConclusionsHigher levels of recreational computer or handheld device use and overall screen time may be linked to higher risk of anxiety symptoms in mothers with young children, independent of MVPA. Further longitudinal and intervention research is required to determine temporal associations.

Family accommodation mediates the association between anxiety symptoms in mothers and children

ObjectiveThe link between child anxiety and maternal anxiety has been well established but the factors underlying this association are not well understood. One potential factor is family accommodation, which describes ways in which parents change their behaviour to help a child avoid or alleviate anxiety. Family accommodation has been associated with greater symptom severity, more impairment and poorer treatment outcomes in the child. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal accommodation mediates the relation between parent and child anxiety.MethodMothers of children (N = 85) aged 7–17 years (M = 11.79) completed measures of their own anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)), their child's anxiety (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED)), and family accommodation (Family Accommodation Scale Anxiety (FASA)). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the mediational role of accommodation linking parent and child anxiety.ResultsFamily accommodation was found to significantly mediate the link between maternal anxiety and child anxiety.ConclusionThese results inform theory and imply that the development of interventions designed to target family accommodation may improve the prognosis of those diagnosed with paediatric anxiety disorders and youth with subclinical anxiety symptoms by reducing both parent and child anxiety.

Avoidance moderates the association between mothers' and children's fears: findings from a novel motion-tracking behavioral assessment.

Fear and anxiety in children are associated with similar symptoms in parents. Parental modeling of fearful or avoidant behavior is believed to contribute to this association. We employed a novel motion-tracking experimentation platform to test the hypothesis that mothers' behavioral avoidance of spiders moderates the association between fear of spiders in mothers and children. Participants were 86 children (aged 7-17) presenting with an anxiety disorder, and their mothers. Children and mothers completed the Spider Phobia Questionnaire. Mothers completed a motion-tracking assessment of behavioral avoidance of spiders. Fear of spiders in mothers was associated with fear of spiders in children (r85 =0.48, 95%CI 0.30 - 0.63, P<0.001). Two metrics of behavioral avoidance in mothers were associated with mothers' self-reported fear of spiders (r=-0.49, 95% CI 0.31-0.64, P<0.001; and r=0.42, 95%CI 0.23 - 0.58 P<0.001). Mothers' behavioral avoidance moderated the association between fear of spiders in mothers and in children. When mothers' avoidance was intermediate or high the association was significant, and as mothers' behavioral avoidance increased the strength of the association increased. Fear of spiders in mothers with low behavioral avoidance was not associated with fear of spiders in their children. The study demonstrates that behavioral avoidance can be measured using the motion-tracking platform and can be useful in understanding the links between symptoms of anxiety in mothers and children. Reducing parents' overt expressions of avoidance may lower the risk of fears being transmitted to children.

Preterm birth and maternal psychological health

Studies have shown that preterm birth significantly influences mothers' psychological health. This study aimed to identify factors associated with preterm birth and assess postnatal depression and anxiety symptoms in mothers of preterm infants (n = 75) compared to mothers who delivered at term (n = 125) in a Greek sample. Multiple pregnancies, assisted reproduction technology, caesarean section, non-Greek ethnicity and smoking during pregnancy were associated with preterm delivery. Moreover, preterm infants' mothers had higher depression, state anxiety and trait anxiety scores. These findings suggest that addressing preventable causes of preterm delivery is crucial, while mothers of preterm infants should receive postnatal support.

Anxiety, Dysphoria, and Depression Symptoms in Mothers of Preterm Infants

To compare presence and severity of clinical symptoms of anxiety, dysphoria, and depression in mothers of preterm and of full-term infants and to observe changes in symptoms of mothers of preterm infants during hospitalization of the infants and after discharge, 50 mothers of preterm infants and 25 mothers of full-term infants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory. The mothers with preterm infants had significantly higher clinical symptoms of State Anxiety during hospitalization than the group with full-term infants, but the clinical symptoms of anxiety in mothers of preterm infants decreased significantly after discharge. The health staff in a neonatal intensive care unit should not only be aware of infants' clinical status but also of the mothers' emotional state.