Is lower fetal heart rate variability a susceptibility marker to the impact of negative coparenting on infant regulatory capacity?

Lower fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) may be a prenatal endophenotypic susceptibility marker and increase the impact of both positive and negative coparenting on infant regulatory capacity. This study analyzed the moderator role of FHRV in the association between positive and negative coparenting and infant regulatory capacity at 3 months. The sample comprised 86 first-born infants and their mothers and fathers recruited at a public Health Service in Northern Portugal. FHRV was recorded during routine cardiotocography examination at the third trimester of gestation. Mothers and fathers reported on coparenting and infant regulatory capacity at 2 weeks and 3 months postpartum. FHRV moderated the association between mother's and father's negative coparenting at 2 weeks postpartum and infant regulatory capacity at three months. Infants with low FHRV presented higher regulatory capacity when mothers or fathers reported less negative coparenting, while lower regulatory capacity when mothers or fathers reported more negative coparenting, than infants with high FHRV. Findings suggested lower FHRV as a prenatal endophenotypic susceptibility marker that increases the impact of negative coparenting on infant regulatory capacity.

La más baja variabilidad del pulso cardíaco fetal (FHRV) pudiera ser un marcador determinante de la susceptibilidad endofenotípica prenatal y aumentar el impacto de la crianza compartida tanto positiva como negativa sobre la capacidad regulatoria del infante. Este estudio analizó el papel moderador de FHRV en la asociación entre la positiva y negativa crianza compartida y la capacidad regulatoria del infante a los tres meses. El grupo muestra estaba compuesto de 86 infantes primerizos y sus mamás y papás. Se grabó la FHRV durante una examinación de cardiotocografía de rutina en el tercer trimestre de la gestación. Las mamás y los papás reportaron acerca de la crianza compartida y la capacidad regulatoria del infante a las dos semanas y a los tres meses después del parto. La FHRV moderó la asociación entre la crianza compartida negativa de la mamá y del papá a las dos semanas después del parto y la capacidad regulatoria del infante a los tres meses. Los infantes con baja FHRV presentaron una capacidad regulatoria más alta cuando las mamás o los papás reportaron una crianza compartida menos negativa, mientras que la capacidad regulatoria más baja se dio cuando las mamás o los papás reportaron una crianza compartida más negativa, que los infantes con una FHRV alta. Los resultados señalan la más baja FHRV como un marcador determinante de la susceptibilidad endofenotípica prenatal que aumenta el impacto de la crianza compartida negativa sobre la capacidad regulatoria del infante. Los infantes con baja FHRV pueden ser aquellos que mejor desarrollan mecanismos de autorregulación en la presencia de una crianza compartida menos negativa, mientras que están bajo alto riesgo de problemas regulatorios en la presencia de una crianza compartida más negativa.

Une variabilité de la fréquence cardiaque fœtale (VFCF) plus basse pourrait être un marqueur de sensibilité endophénotypique prénatale et augmenter l'impact du coparentage positif et négatif sur la capacité régulatoire du nourrisson. Cette étude a analysé le rôle modérateur de la VFCF dans le lien entre le coparentage positif et négatif et la capacité régulatoire du nourrisson à trois mois. Cet échantillon a inlu 86 nourrisson premiers nés et leurs mères et pères. La VFCF a été enregistrée penfdant un examen de cardiotocographie de routine au troisième trimestre de la grossesse. Les mères et les pères ont fait état de leur coparentage et de la capacité régulatoire du nourrisson à deux semaines et à trois mois postpartum. La VFCF a modéré le lien entre le coparentage négatif de la mère et du père à deux mois postpartum et la capacité régulatoire du nourrisson à trois mois. Les nourrissons avec une VFCF basse ont présenté une capacité régulatoire plus élevée lorsque les mères ou les pères ont signalé moins de coparentage négatif, alors qu'ils ont présenté une capacité régulatoire plus basse lorsque les mères ou les pères ont signalé un coparentage plus négatif, que les nourrissons avec une VFCF élevée. Les résultats ont suggéré une VFCF plus basse comme un marqueur de sensibilité endophénotypique prénatale qui augmente l'impact de coparentage négatif sur la capacité régulatoire du nourrisson. Les enfants avec une VFCF basse peuvent être ceux qui développent mieux leurs mécanismes auto-régulatoires en présence de moins de coparentage négatif, tout en étant à haut risque de problèmes régulatoires en présence de plus de coparentage négatif.

Maternal Prenatal Depressive Symptoms and Infant Sleep Problems: The Role of Infant Temperament and Sex.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze whether (1) infant temperament mediates the impact of maternal prenatal depressive symptoms on infant sleep problems and (2) the mediation role of infant temperament was moderated by the infant's sex. METHODS: The sample was comprised of 172 mother-infant dyads. Mothers completed self-reported measures of prenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms, infant temperament (negative affectivity, surgency/extraversion, and orienting regulation), and sleep problems. RESULTS: While controlling for maternal postnatal depressive symptoms, our results revealed that (1) infant negative affectivity at two weeks partially mediated the impact of maternal prenatal depressive symptoms on sleep anxiety at six months, and (2) this mediation is independent of the infant's sex. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provided evidence that negative affectivity can be an early specific marker of sleep anxiety and can partially explain the negative impact of maternal prenatal depressive symptoms on further sleep problems in the infant.

Positive coparenting previous to the COVID-19 pandemic can buffer regulatory problems in infants facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coparenting can be a development-enhancing or risk-promoting environment for infant regulatory capacity, mainly in the presence of adversity. This study aimed to analyze the association between positive and negative coparenting previous to the COVID-19 pandemic and infant regulatory capacity in the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, an adverse condition. A sample of 71 first-born infants and their mothers and fathers from a longitudinal cohort in Portugal were assessed at 2 weeks postpartum before the COVID-19 pandemic and again at 6 months postpartum, before (n = 35) or during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 36). Parents completed measures of positive and negative coparenting and infant regulatory capacity in both assessment waves. Results revealed that the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic moderates the association between mothers' and fathers' positive coparenting previous to the COVID-19 pandemic and infant regulatory capacity at 6 months. The association between positive coparenting and regulatory capacity was stronger in infants facing the COVID-19 pandemic, than in infants who did not face the COVID-19 pandemic. Positive coparenting previous to the COVID-19 pandemic may be a development-enhancing environment for infant regulatory capacity in the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Positive coparenting may buffer regulatory problems in infants facing adverse conditions.

Determinants of personal growth and life satisfaction in divorced adults.

Divorce is a major life event that can trigger sudden changes in how adults perceive themselves and operate in their social environments. Some previous evidence has documented changes in personality in reaction to marital dissolution. However, little is known about the determinants of personality development in the post-divorce period. Guided by the positive personality development model in adulthood, this study examined sociodemographic characteristics, divorce-related variables and personality-related indicators as determinants of life satisfaction and personal growth in divorced adults. Participants included 460 divorced adults who completed self-reported measures regarding sociodemographic characteristics, divorce-related variables and personality development indicators. Results showed that autonomy, environmental mastery, self-acceptance, emotional self-regulation indicators and motivation for personality adjustment goals were associated with post-divorce life satisfaction. Personal growth was associated with purpose in life, self-expansion, psychological mindedness and motivation for personality growth goals. The sociodemographic characteristics and divorce-related variables differently predicted life satisfaction and personal growth. We discussed the implications of the positive personality development model in understanding post-divorce personality adjustment and maturity.

Fetal heart rate variability and infant self-regulation: the impact of mother's prenatal depressive symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Foetal heart rate (FHR) variability is considered a marker of foetal neurobehavioral development associated with infant self-regulation and thus may be an early precursor of the adverse impact of mother's prenatal depressive symptoms on infant self-regulation. OBJECTIVE: This study analysed the mediator role of FHR variability in the association between mother's prenatal depressive symptoms and infant self-regulation at three months. METHODS: The sample comprised 86 first-born infants and their mothers. Mothers reported on depressive symptoms at the first trimester of pregnancy and on depressive symptoms and infant self-regulation at three months postpartum. FHR variability was recorded during routine cardiotocography at the third trimester of pregnancy. A mediation model was tested, adjusting for mother's postnatal depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Higher levels of mother's prenatal depressive symptoms were associated with both lower FHR variability and lower infant self-regulation at three months. FHR variability was associated with infant self-regulation and mediated the association between mother's prenatal depressive symptoms and infant self-regulation at three months. CONCLUSION: Findings suggested FHR variability as an early precursor of infant self-regulation that underlies the association between mother's prenatal depressive symptoms and infant self-regulation. Infants of mothers with higher levels of prenatal depressive symptoms could be at risk of self-regulation problems, partially due to their lower FHR variability.

Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale: measuring parenting self-efficacy in Portuguese mothers during the first year postpartum.

BACKGROUND: The Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale (KPCS) was designed to assess parenting self-efficacy in parents of infants during the first year. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the psychometric characteristics of the KPCS in Portuguese mothers during the first-year postpartum. METHODS: A sample of 383 mothers were recruited at two public outpatient units in Northern Portugal. Mothers completed the KPCS, a sociodemographic questionnaire, and measures of depressive and anxiety symptoms at least one time between two weeks, three, six and 12 months postpartum. RESULTS: Good fit was found for a factor model with three subscales: parenting, support and child development. The KPCS presented good internal consistency. Regarding the criterion validity of the KPCS, significant effects of mother's age were found on the development subscale and significant associations were found between mother's depressive and anxiety symptoms and the KPCS total scale and subscales. Optimal clinical cut-offs were suggested. CONCLUSION: Findings provided evidence on the psychometric characteristics of the KPCS which can be used to assess parenting self-efficacy in Portuguese mothers during the first-year postpartum, possibly identifying mothers with low parenting self-efficacy.

Feasibility and acceptability of psychosocial care for unsuccessful fertility treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Many people undergo fertility treatment to have biological children, but around four in ten patients complete all treatment cycles without having the children they desire. This triggers intense grief from which patients report taking on average 2 years to recover. Fertility guidelines and regulators stress the need to support patients through this process, but there is a scarcity of evaluated interventions to this end and evidence about when and how to offer care is lacking. This study explored patients' and healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences of and views about provision of psychosocial care (to patients facing unsuccessful fertility treatment, i.e., care provided by a mental health professional to address the emotional, cognitive, behavioural, relational and social needs that patients have at this stage of treatment). METHODS: Five qualitative online focus groups were conducted with Portuguese participants: three with patients waiting to initiate or undergoing their last cycle of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection or having completed it within the last 2 months without achieving a pregnancy and two with HCPs working at fertility clinics. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and data were analysed with Framework Analysis. RESULTS: Thirteen patients and nine HCPs participated. Analysis resulted in 1293 codes, systematically organized into 13 categories, 4 themes and 1 metatheme. The latter showed high consensus about the need for psychosocial care for unsuccessful treatment, but perceived challenges in its implementation. Themes reflected (1) consensual demand for psychosocial care at all stages of treatment but particularly at the end, (2) high perceived acceptability of integrating preventive care initiated during treatment with early psychosocial care only for those patients who experience unsuccessful treatment, (3) perceived challenges of implementing psychosocial care for unsuccessful treatment at clinics and (4) suggestions to promote its acceptability and feasibility. CONCLUSION: Patients and HCPs perceive that clinics should improve care provision across the whole treatment pathway and in particular for unsuccessful fertility treatment. Suggestions were made to inform future research focusing on the development and evaluation of psychosocial interventions to this end. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients and HCPs participated in the focus groups. Two HCPs also revised the manuscript.

Maternal perception of infant's intersubjectivity: a questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: Intersubjectivity is a fundamental dimension of the mother-infant relationship. OBJECTIVE: Design of a questionnaire to assess maternal perception of the infant's intersubjectivity. DESIGN: After running a focus group with mothers of infants within their first year of life, items related to maternal perception of the infant's intersubjectivity were generated. These items were applied to a sample of 125 mothers and the results were submitted to principal components analysis. RESULTS: Principal components analysis (forced extraction to 3 factors, KMO = .752, Bartlett = 976.202, p = .000; explained variance = 42.12%) identified 22 items grouped in three factors: a) F1, 'Interactive Competence' (α = .817); b) F2, 'Emotional States' (α = .749), and c) F3, 'Initiative' (α = .647). Positive and significant correlations were observed among all MPIIQ factors (p ≤ .01). Maternal perception of infant's intersubjectivity varied according to the number of gestational weeks at birth (T = -1.15, p ≤ .05) and according to the infant´s age (F = 7.834, p ≤ .001). Mothers of preterm infants reported lower perception of infant's intersubjectivity whereas mothers of older infants reported higher perception of infant's intersubjectivity. CONCLUSION: The Maternal Perception of Infant's Intersubjectivity Questionnaire (MPIIQ) seems to be a sensitive instrument, able to discriminate different levels of maternal perception about the infant's intersubjective competences.

Anxiety and depressive symptoms effects on cortisol trajectories from pregnancy to postpartum: Differences and similarities between women and men.

Anxiety and depressive symptoms may influence cortisol trajectories in women and men during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Using a multilevel approach, anxiety and depressive symptoms effects on 24-hour urinary free cortisol trajectories from the 2nd trimester to 3-months postpartum were examined in a sample of 66 women and 65 men with no known psychosocial or medical risk (N = 131; 33 (50%) of them were couples that participated in the same assessment waves). Results showed that both anxiety and depressive symptoms influence women's and men's cortisol trajectories from mid-pregnancy to 3-months postpartum. Women with high depressive symptoms and men with high anxiety or high depressive symptoms exhibited less accentuated variations in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol trajectories compared with women with low depressive symptoms and men with low anxiety or depressive symptoms, respectively. These effects were significant for women's cortisol trajectories from the 2nd to the 3rd pregnancy trimester and for men's cortisol trajectories throughout the entire period. The effect of anxiety and depressive symptoms on HPA axis functioning and cortisol production during pregnancy and postpartum, seems to be sex-specific. Reproductive-related alterations (associated with gestation, parturition and lactation) in women's HPA axis functioning may explain these sex-specific effects.

Unidirectional and bidirectional links between maternal depression symptoms and infant sleep problems.

The present study explored (a) the unidirectional and bidirectional links between maternal depression symptoms and infant sleep problems and (b) the moderating role of the infant's sex on these unidirectional and bidirectional links. Mothers (N = 312) completed measures of depression symptoms at the third pregnancy trimester, and measures of depression symptoms and infant sleep problems at 2 weeks, and at 3 and 6 months postpartum. The findings revealed: (a) a main unidirectional link between maternal depression symptoms during the third trimester and infant sleep problems, particularly on infant unsettled sleep and daytime sleepiness at 3 and 6 months; (b) bidirectional links between maternal postpartum depression symptoms and infant unsettled sleep at 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months of life; and (c) the reported links between maternal depression symptoms and infant sleep problems occur specifically in boys and their mothers. Maternal prenatal depression symptoms are linked to infant sleep problems and infant sleep problems are linked to maternal postnatal depression symptoms. Boys are more susceptible to the effects of maternal prenatal and postnatal depression symptoms, and mothers of boys are more susceptible to the effects of boys' sleep problems.

Expanding the international conversation with fathers' mental health: toward an era of inclusion in perinatal research and practice.

Paternal mental health is beginning to be recognized as an essential part of perinatal health. Historically, fathers were not recognized as being at risk for perinatal mental illnesses or relevant to maternal and infant health outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of paternal perinatal mental health, leading tools to assess paternal depression and anxiety, the impact of paternal mental health on mother and child health, and future directions for the field. An international team of paternal perinatal mental health experts summarized the key findings of the field. Fathers have an elevated risk of depression and anxiety disorders during the perinatal period that is associated with maternal depression and can impact their ability to support mothers. Paternal mental health is uniquely associated with child mental health and developmental outcomes starting from infancy and continuing through the child lifespan. Tailored screening approaches for paternal mental health are essential to support fathers early in the perinatal period, which would offset health risks for the family. Recommendations on paternal mental health are provided on four key areas to support father perinatal mental health: (1) intervention research, (2) clinical training, (3) national policy, and (4) the inclusion of fathers in the focus of the International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health.

Schistosoma mansoni SmKI-1 serine protease inhibitor binds to elastase and impairs neutrophil function and inflammation.

Protease inhibitors have important function during homeostasis, inflammation and tissue injury. In this study, we described the role of Schistosoma mansoni SmKI-1 serine protease inhibitor in parasite development and as a molecule capable of regulating different models of inflammatory diseases. First, we determine that recombinant (r) SmKI-1 and its Kunitz domain but not the C-terminal region possess inhibitory activity against trypsin and neutrophil elastase (NE). To better understand the molecular basis of NE inhibition by SmKI-1, molecular docking studies were also conducted. Docking results suggest a complete blockage of NE active site by SmKI-1 Kunitz domain. Additionally, rSmKI-1 markedly inhibited the capacity of NE to kill schistosomes. In order to further investigate the role of SmKI-1 in the parasite, we designed specific siRNA to knockdown SmKI-1 in S. mansoni. SmKI-1 gene suppression in larval stage of S. mansoni robustly impact in parasite development in vitro and in vivo. To determine the ability of SmKI-1 to interfere with neutrophil migration and function, we tested SmKI-1 anti-inflammatory potential in different murine models of inflammatory diseases. Treatment with SmKI-1 rescued acetaminophen (APAP)-mediated liver damage, with a significant reduction in both neutrophil recruitment and elastase activity. In the model of gout arthritis, this protein reduced neutrophil accumulation, IL-1ß secretion, hypernociception, and overall pathological score. Finally, we demonstrated the ability of SmKI-1 to inhibit early events that trigger neutrophil recruitment in pleural cavities of mice in response to carrageenan. In conclusion, SmKI-1 is a key protein in S. mansoni survival and it has the ability to inhibit neutrophil function as a promising therapeutic molecule against inflammatory diseases.

Coparenting and Relationship Satisfaction in Mothers: The Moderating Role of Sociosexuality.

This study explored the moderating effect of sociosexual orientation on the association between coparenting alliance/coparenting conflict and relationship satisfaction in mothers in a romantic relationship. Sociosexuality is defined as a personality trait that reflects the individual difference in willingness to engage in uncommitted sexual relations. The study examined a community sample of 635 Portuguese mothers with a monogamous heterosexual relationship. Data on coparenting, relationship satisfaction, and sociosexual orientation were collected. The results revealed the moderating effect of sociosexuality on the significant associations between both coparenting alliance and coparenting conflict predicting relationship satisfaction. For the association between coparenting alliance and relationship satisfaction, mothers with a more restricted sociosexual orientation reported the highest levels of satisfaction when their coparenting alliance was high, but the lowest levels of satisfaction when coparenting alliance was low. For the association between coparenting conflict and relationship satisfaction, mothers with a more restricted sociosexual orientation reported the highest levels of satisfaction when their coparenting conflict was low, but the lowest levels when coparenting conflict was high. Together, the results suggest that especially for women with a more restricted sociosexual orientation, coparenting quality explains significant interindividual variability in relationship satisfaction.

Overestimation of Postpartum Depression Prevalence Based on a 5-item Version of the EPDS: Systematic Review and Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The Maternal Mental Health in Canada, 2018/2019, survey reported that 18% of 7,085 mothers who recently gave birth reported "feelings consistent with postpartum depression" based on scores ≥7 on a 5-item version of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS-5). The EPDS-5 was designed as a screening questionnaire, not to classify disorders or estimate prevalence; the extent to which EPDS-5 results reflect depression prevalence is unknown. We investigated EPDS-5 ≥7 performance relative to major depression prevalence based on a validated diagnostic interview, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID). METHODS: We searched Medline, Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, PsycINFO, and the Web of Science Core Collection through June 2016 for studies with data sets with item response data to calculate EPDS-5 scores and that used the SCID to ascertain depression status. We conducted an individual participant data meta-analysis to estimate pooled percentage of EPDS-5 ≥7, pooled SCID major depression prevalence, and the pooled difference in prevalence. RESULTS: A total of 3,958 participants from 19 primary studies were included. Pooled prevalence of SCID major depression was 9.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.0% to 13.7%), pooled percentage of participants with EPDS-5 ≥7 was 16.2% (95% CI 10.7% to 23.8%), and pooled difference was 8.0% (95% CI 2.9% to 13.2%). In the 19 included studies, mean and median ratios of EPDS-5 to SCID prevalence were 2.1 and 1.4 times. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence estimated based on EPDS-5 ≥7 appears to be substantially higher than the prevalence of major depression. Validated diagnostic interviews should be used to establish prevalence.

Are measures of marital satisfaction valid for women with depressive symptoms? The examination of factor structure and measurement invariance of the Couple Satisfaction Index-4 across depression levels in Portuguese women.

Marital satisfaction (MS) is a key indicator of mental and physical health. Factor structure of MS measures in individuals with clinical levels of depression as well as their measurement invariance across groups with different levels of depressive symptoms were not yet explored. The lack of evidence of measurement invariance might compromise valid comparisons between individuals with elevated and minimal depressive symptoms in MS. This study examined the factor structure of the Couple Satisfaction Index-4 (CSI-4) among women with clinical levels of depression, tested the CSI-4 measurement invariance across depression levels groups, and investigated CSI-4 convergent and divergent validity. Participants were 891 heterosexual married/cohabiting women who were assigned into one of two groups based on assessment of their levels of depressive symptoms. Participants completed the CSI-4 and self-reported measures used to examine convergent and divergent validity. Support was found for the factor structure of the CSI-4 for the total sample and both elevated depressive symptoms and minimal depressive symptoms groups. Subsequent multigroup confirmatory factor analyses supported the measurement invariance of the CSI-4 across depression levels groups. The CSI-4 revealed excellent values of internal consistency and convergent and divergent validity. Our findings suggest that CSI-4 produces comparable response patterns across depression groups and thus meaningful comparisons between groups can be performed.

Depression and paternal adjustment and attitudes during the transition to parenthood.

BACKGROUND: Depression symptoms may negatively affect the achievement of developmental tasks within the transition to parenthood, increasing the risk of paternal adjustment problems and negative paternal attitudes. OBJECTIVE: This study analysed the effect of men's depression symptoms on paternal adjustment and paternal attitudes trajectories from the second trimester of pregnancy to six months postpartum. METHODS: A sample of 127 men completed measures of depression symptoms and paternal adjustment and paternal attitudes at the second trimester of pregnancy and at six months postpartum. RESULTS: From the second trimester of pregnancy to six months postpartum, men with more depression symptoms revealed a decrease on positive attitudes towards sex (while men with fewer depression symptoms revealed an increase), a steeper decrease in the satisfaction with marital relationship (than men with fewer depression symptoms), and a decrease in positive attitudes towards pregnancy and the baby (while men with fewer depression symptoms revealed an increase). CONCLUSION: Depression symptoms early in pregnancy may represent a risk factor to increased paternal adjustment problems and negative paternal attitudes during the transition to parenthood.

Mother's prenatal and postpartum depression symptoms and infant's sleep problems at 6 months.

Mother's prenatal and postpartum depression have been associated with infant's sleep problems. This study aimed to analyze (a) the effects of mother's prenatal and postpartum depression symptoms, including the effects of prenatal and postpartum anxiety and depression scores of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), on infant's sleep problems at 6 months, and (b) the interaction effect between mother's prenatal and postpartum depression symptoms and infant's sex on infant's sleep problems at 6 months. The sample was comprised of 164 mother-infant dyads whose mothers completed measures of depression at the third trimester of pregnancy, 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months postpartum and a measure of infant's sleep problems at 6 months (CSHQ-I). Mother's prenatal depression symptoms, specifically depression scores of the EPDS, predicted more infant's sleep anxiety and daytime sleepiness, while mother's depression symptoms at 2 weeks postpartum, specifically anxiety scores of the EPDS, predicted more bedtime resistance and CSHQ-I total scores at 6 months. Boys of mothers with more prenatal depression symptoms presented more sleep anxiety at 6 months. Both mother's prenatal and early postpartum depression symptoms have a negative effect on the emergence of infant's sleep problems. Additionally, boys seem more vulnerable to mother's prenatal depression symptoms.

La depresión prenatal y posterior al parto de la madre ha sido asociada con problemas de dormir del infante. Este estudio se propuso analizar (1) los efectos de los síntomas de la depresión prenatal y posterior al parto de la madre, incluyendo los efectos que los puntajes de ansiedad y depresión prenatal y posterior al parto en la Escala de Depresión Postnatal de Edinburgo (EPDS) tienen en los problemas de dormir del infante a los seis meses, y (2) el efecto de la interacción entre los síntomas de depresión prenatal y posterior al parto de la madre y el sexo del infante sobre los problemas de dormir del infante a los seis meses. El grupo muestra estuvo compuesto de 164 díadas madre-infante cuyas madres completaron medidas de depresión al tercer trimestre del embarazo, a las dos semanas, tres y seis meses posteriores al parto y una medida de los problemas de dormir del infante a los seis meses (CSHQ-I). Los síntomas prenatales de depresión de la madre, específicamente los puntajes de depresión en EPDS, predijeron más ansiedad de dormir en el infante y el tener sueño durante el día, mientras que los síntomas de depresión de la madre a las dos semanas posteriores al parto, específicamente los puntajes de ansiedad en EPDS, predijeron más resistencia al tiempo de estar en cama y los puntajes totales de CSHQ-I a los seis meses. Los varoncitos de madres con más síntomas de depresión prenatal presentaron más ansiedad de dormir a los seis meses. Tanto los síntomas de depresión prenatales como los de la temprana etapa del postparto tienen un efecto negativo en cuanto al surgimiento de problemas de dormir en el infante. Adicionalmente, los varoncitos parecen más vulnerables a los síntomas de depresión prenatal de la madre. Palabras claves: depresión prenatal, depresión posterior al parto, problemas de dormir, desarrollo, diferencia de sexo.

La dépression prénatale et postpartum de la mère a été liée aux problèmes de sommeil du nourrisson. Cette étude s'est donnée pour but d'analyser (1) les effets des symptômes de dépression prénatale et postpartum de la mère, y compris les effets de l'anxiété prénatale et postpartum et les scores de dépression de l'Echelle de Dépression Post-Partum d'Edimbourg (abrégée en anglais EPDS) sur les problèmes de sommeil du nourrisson à six mois, et (2) l'effet d'interaction entre les symptômes de dépression prénatale et postpartum de la mère et le sexe du nourrisson sur les problèmes de sommeil du nourrisson à six mois. L'échantillon a compris 164 dyades mère-nourrisson dont les mères avaient rempli des mesures de dépression au troisième trimestre de la grossesse, à deux semaines, trois mois et six mois postpartum et une mesure des problèmes de sommeil du nourrisson à six mois (CSHQ-I). Les symptômes de dépression prénatale de la mère, plus spécifiquement les scores de dépression de l'EPDS, ont prédit plus d'anxiété du sommeil du nourrisson et d'endormissement durant la journée, alors que les symptômes de dépression de la mère à deux semaines postpartum, plus spécifiquement les scores d'anxiété de l'EPDS, a prédit plus de résistance au coucher et des scores totaux CSHQ-I à six mois. Les garçons de mères avec plus de symptômes de dépression postnatale ont présenté plus d'anxiété du sommeil à six mois. Les symptômes de dépression prénatale et de dépression précoce postpartum ont tous deux un effet négatif sur l'émergence de problèmes de sommeil du nourrisson. De plus les garçons semblent plus vulnérables aux symptômes de dépression prénatale de la mère. Mots clés: dépression prénatale, dépression postpartum, problèmes de sommeil, développement, différences entre les sexes.

Developmental trajectories of general and breathing movements in fetal twins.

This study examined the developmental trajectories of general and breathing movements in fetal twins. Fetal movement patterns were assessed from real-time ultrasound recordings performed at 12-15, 20-23, and 28-32 weeks of gestation in 42 twin pairs. Results indicated that both general movements and breathing movements followed a curvilinear, inverted U-shaped curve. Developmental trajectories were unrelated within pairs of twins and were not associated with gestational age at birth and birth weight. However, sex differences were found for general movements with males displaying more time making general movements at 21 weeks and a steeper decline in time spent making general movements during the second half of pregnancy than females. These age-related changes in fetal movements may reflect CNS development. These findings also suggest that twins' behavioral development is largely independent of co-twin development, gestational age at birth, and birth weight, but not of fetal sex.

Attachment and coparenting representations in men during the transition to parenthood.

Coparenting is based on parents' representations of themselves as coparents. Attachment theory can be a useful framework to understand the way that different coparenting representations are developed during the transition to parenthood. This study aimed to analyze the association between men's attachment and coparenting representations at the first trimester of pregnancy and from the first trimester of pregnancy to 6 months' postpartum. A sample of 86 men was recruited and completed self-report measures of attachment and coparenting representations at the first and third trimester of pregnancy and at 1 and 6 months' postpartum. At the first trimester of pregnancy, higher attachment avoidance was associated with higher lack of coparenting support. From the first trimester of pregnancy to 6 months' postpartum, higher attachment avoidance was associated with (a) a steeper increase on lack of coparenting support, (b) an increase on coparenting conflict (while low attachment avoidance was associated with a decrease), and (c) a lower decrease on coparenting disagreement. This study may contribute to coparenting research by showing new evidence on attachment theory as a useful framework to understand how different coparenting representations are developed in men during the transition to parenthood.

La crianza compartida se basa en las representaciones que cada progenitor tiene de sí como responsable en conjunto de la crianza. La teoría de la afectividad puede ser un marco útil para comprender la manera como diferentes representaciones de la crianza compartida se desarrollan durante la transición a ser padres. Este estudio se propuso como meta analizar la asociación entre la afectividad de los hombres y las representaciones de la crianza compartida durante el primer trimestre del embarazo y a partir del primer trimestre del embarazo a los seis meses después del parto. Se reclutó un grupo muestra de 86 hombres quienes completaron medidas de auto-reporte sobre la afectividad y las representaciones de la crianza compartida al primer y tercer trimestre del embarazo, y al mes y seis meses después del parto. Al primer trimestre del embarazo, un más alto sentido de evitar la afectividad se asoció con una mayor falta de apoyo a la crianza compartida. Del primer trimestre del embarazo a los seis meses posteriores al parto, el más alto sentido de evitar la afectividad se asoció con (1) un más profundo aumento en la falta de apoyo a la crianza compartida, (2) un aumento en el conflicto de crianza compartida (mientras que el bajo nivel del sentido de evitar la afectividad se asoció con una baja), y (3) una más baja disminución en el desacuerdo de la crianza compartida. Este estudio pudiera contribuir a la investigación sobre la crianza compartida al mostrar nueva evidencia sobre la teoría de la afectividad como un marco útil para comprender cuán diferentemente se desarrollan las representaciones de crianza compartida en los hombres durante la transición a la paternidad.

Le coparentage est basé sur les représentations des parents d'eux-mêmes en tant que coparents. La théorie de l'attachement peut être une structure utile pour comprendre la manière dont différentes représentations de coparentages se développent durant la transition au parentage. Cette étude s'est donné pour but d'analyser l'association entre l'attachement des hommes et les représentations de coparentage durant le premier trimestre de la grossesse et du premier trimestre de la grossesse à six mois après la naissance. Un échantillon de 86 hommes a été recruté et a rempli des mesures auto-rapportées d'attachement et des représentations de coparentage au premier et au troisième trimestre de la naissance, et à un an et six mois après la naissance. Au premier trimestre de la grossesse le fait d'éviter l'attachement était lié à un manque de soutien de coparentage plus élevé. Du premier trimestre de la grossesse à six mois postpartum, le fait d'éviter l'attachement était lié à (1) une plus forte augmentation du manque de soutien de coparentage, (2) une augmentation du conflit de coparentage (alors qu'un faible fait d'éviter l'attachement était lié à une décroissance), et (3) une baisse du désaccord de coparentage. Cette étude contribue aux recherches sur le coparentage en montrant de nouvelles preuve de la théorie de l'attachement en tant que structure utile pour comprendre comment des représentations différentes de coparentage se développent chez les hommes durant la transition au parentage.

Reference values and changes in infant sleep-wake behaviour during the first 12 months of life: a systematic review.

This paper is a systematic review on the reference values and changes in infant sleep-wake behaviour during the first 12 months of life. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Seventy-four papers were included, and the reference values and changes in sleep-wake behaviour during the first 12 months of life were identified. Sleep duration during the 24-h period, and day and sleep periods during the night decreased over the first 12 months of life. Night wakings and bedtime/sleep-onset time decreased, while the longest sleep period increased at night during the first 6 months. High discrepancy was noted between studies in the reference values of sleep-wake behaviour, while more congruence was noted regarding changes, especially those occurring in the first 6 months of life. Several methodological differences were identified between studies and may partially explain inconsistencies in the results, including the assessment of different sleep-wake behaviours, the focus on specific ages or age ranges, the use of self-report, observational or direct measures, the recruitment of small or large representative samples, and the countries where the research was conducted. These aspects should be considered in future research and caution should be taken when generalizing results from studies with diverse methodological characteristics. Nonetheless, this review identifies normative reference values and the changes occurring in infant sleep-wake behaviour, and could inform both practitioners and researchers, helping them identify infants with sleep delays or problems.