French version of the Parental Emotion Regulation Inventory (PERI 2).

The Parental Emotion Regulation Inventory 2 (PERI 2) is designed to assess parents' emotion regulation during discipline interactions with their children. The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a French translation and adaptation of the PERI 2. Two hundred and forty-six parents of children aged 1 to 3 years old participated in this study. The participants were recruited both face-to-face in a childcare centre and remotely through social networks. They were asked to fill out various questionnaires including the PERI 2 on an online platform. The adequacy indices of the confirmatory analysis were satisfying and validated a 4-factor model. The internal consistency of the overall scale and the subscales was satisfying. The convergent validity of the cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression factors showed a strong association with the global reappraisal and suppression constructs. The escape factor was positively associated with constructs measuring negative experienced emotion during discipline encounters and physical aggression in children but negatively associated with measures of over reactivity. The capitulation factor was positively associated with constructs measuring negative experienced emotion during discipline encounters, child physical aggression, and global expressive suppression. The association with the laxity factor was negative. The French version of the PERI 2 is a reliable tool to measure cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression in parents. The tool can be used in research with parents of young children in the context of disciplinary interactions. A short version could also be created for clinical use in order to assess difficulties in the emotion regulation of parents of young children and to assess treatment efficacy.

Exploring the psychometric qualities of prenatal attachment inventory in France.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the structure of the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) on a French sample of pregnant women. METHODS: Three hundred and nine pregnant women were recruited in gynecology-obstetrics departments and on social networks. To be included, women had to be pregnant, aged between 18 and 45 years old, and not have somatic complications of pregnancy. The women completed a questionnaire including questions on sociodemographic information, and the PAI. The structure of PAI was explored with an exploratory structural equation model (ESEM). RESULTS: Three factorial solutions were explored: two-, three- and four-factor. The 2-factor solution was excluded due to its CFI, TLI and RMSEA indexes, which were lower than the reference values. The choice between the 3- and 4-factor solutions was made according to the clinical meaning of the items included in the factors. The 3-factor solution was retained with the factors: "current and future representations of the baby", "maternal-fetal relationship", and "proprioceptive feeling". The scale had good internal consistency. CONCLUSIONS: The PAI is the first standardized multidimensional assessment tool for maternal-fetal attachment in the French language. In view of the results obtained, this tool can be disseminated and used by professionals in perinatal care.

A validation of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale 12-item research short-form for use during global crises with five translations.

BACKGROUND: Global crises inevitably increase levels of anxiety in postpartum populations. Effective and efficient measurement is therefore essential. This study aimed to create a 12-item research short form of the 51-item Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale [PSAS] and validate it for use in rapid response research at a time of global crises [PSAS-RSF-C]. We also present the same 12-items, in five other languages (Italian, French, Chinese, Spanish, Dutch) to increase global accessibility of a psychometric tool to assess maternal mental health. METHODS: Twelve items from the PSAS were selected on the basis of a review of their factor loadings. An on-line sample of UK mothers (N = 710) of infants up to 12 weeks old completed the PSAS-RSF-C during COVID-19 'lockdown'. RESULTS: Principal component analyses on a randomly split sample (n = 344) revealed four factors, identical in nature to the original PSAS, which in combination explained 75% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analyses (n = 366) demonstrated the four-factor model fit the data well. Reliability of the overall scale and of the underlying factors in both samples proved excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest the PSAS-RSF-C may prove useful as a clinical screening tool and is the first postpartum-specific psychometric scale to be validated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This offers psychometrically sound assessment of postpartum anxiety. By increasing the accessibility of the PSAS, we aim to enable researchers the opportunity to measure maternal anxiety, rapidly, at times of global crisis.

Predictive factors of women's subjective perception of childbirth experience: a systematic review of the literature.

Background: Up to 33% of women report a negative or traumatic childbirth experience. Given this high prevalence and its consistent association with adverse postpartum and child outcomes, it is essential to identify predictive factors and to improve the management of the childbirth experience. Objective: This systematic review explores and identifies risk and protective factors for women's subjective childbirth experience and birth satisfaction by reviewing original research. Methods: A systematic search was performed for childbirth experience literature on three online databases. Reviewed papers focused on women's subjective childbirth experience and its predictive factors. The articles were assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: Risk and protective factors are notably different depending on the study design, the country, or the method employed. The main risk factors are obstetric, such as emergency caesarean and highly perceived labour pain, and women's dissatisfaction with social support. The main protective factors are: obstetric, including highly perceived control during labour or satisfaction regarding partner's support. However, overall results are inconclusive for methodological or conceptual reasons. Conclusions: Several risk factors can be identified through pregnancy or childbirth. This underlines the importance of the quality of maternal interpersonal and professional relationships, especially with first-line perinatal health-care professionals, such as midwives.

BEST PRACTICE IN INDIVIDUAL SUPERVISION OF PSYCHOLOGISTS WORKING IN THE FRENCH CAPEDP PREVENTIVE PERINATAL HOME-VISITING PROGRAM: RESULTS OF A DELPHI CONSENSUS PROCESS.

Individual supervision of home-visiting professionals has proved to be a key element for perinatal home-visiting programs. Although studies have been published concerning quality criteria for supervision in North American contexts, little is known about this subject in other national settings. In the context of the CAPEDP program (Compétences parentales et Attachement dans la Petite Enfance: Diminution des risques liés aux troubles de santé mentale et Promotion de la résilience; Parental Skills and Attachment in Early Childhood: Reducing Mental Health Risks and Promoting Resilience), the first randomized controlled perinatal mental health promotion research program to take place in France, this article describes the results of a study using the Delphi consensus method to identify the program supervisors' points of view concerning best practice for the individual supervision of home visitors involved in such programs. The final 18 recommendations could be grouped into four general themes: the organization and setting of supervision sessions; supervisor competencies; relationship between supervisor and supervisee; and supervisor intervention strategies within the supervision process. The quality criteria identified in this perinatal home-visiting program in the French cultural context underline the importance of clinical supervision and not just reflective supervision when working with families with multiple, highly complex needs.

French version of the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment questionnaire-BITSEA.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the French version of the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA). METHODS: The sample consisted of 589 low-risk infants aged 12-36 months and their parents. Parents completed the BITSEA, the Child Behavior Checklist 1½-5 (CBCL - 18 months to 5 years version), and the Parenting Stress Index - Short Form (PSI-SF). RESULTS: Multitrait-multimethod and confirmatory factor analyses revealed adequate psychometric properties for the French version of the BITSEA. Scores on the BITSEA Problem scale were positively correlated to all CBCL and PSI-SF subscales, whereas negative correlations were found between BITSEA Competence scale and CBCL and PSI-SF subscales. The BITSEA Problem score significantly increased with level of parental worry, examined through a single-item question that is part of the BITSEA. CONCLUSION: Findings support the validity of the French version of the BITSEA. However, additional work on the clinical validity of the BITSEA, including with at-risk children, is warranted.

The experience of miscarriage and its impact on prenatal attachment during the following pregnancy: A mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: In France, miscarriage affects nearly 200,000 women every year. This life event may generate negative effects on the mother-child relationship and the mother's mental health in the following pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of body satisfaction, partner support, resilience and previous experience of a miscarriage on prenatal attachment in pregnant women. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional mixed-methods study. Women answered an online questionnaire in the period between November 2022 to April 2023. PARTICIPANTS: 267 French pregnant women who had previously experienced a miscarriage were recruited for this study. MEASUREMENTS: Study outcomes included prenatal attachment, resilience, partner support, history of previous pregnancies and miscarriages, the current pregnancy, and questions relating to body experience. FINDINGS: Participants who reported a high investment in the current pregnancy, high partner support and a positive image of their body had higher levels of prenatal attachment. The experience of miscarriage also seems to influence prenatal attachment: pregnancy investment at the time of miscarriage had a positive influence, while medical experience had no significant impact. While the global resilience score was not related to prenatal attachment, sense of control was positively linked to prenatal attachment. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These results highlight the importance of considering miscarriage as a perinatal loss with potential for long-lasting impact on women, which deserves particular attention from professionals. Enhancing partner support and helping women build a positive image of their pregnant body can also have a role in fostering prenatal attachment to the foetus.

Comparative analysis of general and pregnancy-related prenatal anxiety symptoms: progression throughout pregnancy and influence of maternal attachment.

Pregnancy-specific anxiety (PSA) has been differentiated from general anxiety (GA) to better account for the heterogeneity of prenatal anxiety and possible measurement bias. A longitudinal study was conducted to determine the evolution of maternal anxiety symptoms during pregnancy, distinguishing PSA and GA, and the influence of maternal attachment A sample of 155 women (mean age 32.5, SD 3.88) were enrolled in their first trimester of pregnancy (T1) in one center and follow throughout their pregnancy. The Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ) were completed at T1, and, for the last two, at the second (T2) and third trimesters of pregnancy (T3). Multi-level model found significant decreases in the PRAQ total score and the STAI total score between T1 and T3, but only the PRAQ total score decreased from T1 to T2. Preoccupied maternal attachment was independently associated with higher PRAQ and STAI total scores at T1, T2, and T3. Considering the progressive decline of the levels of PSA and GA during pregnancy, interventions should focus on pregnant mothers with risk factors for a persisting course of anxiety such as preoccupied attachment.

Is Neurodevelopmental Assessment in Early Childhood Predictive of Performance Assessed Later in Childhood and Adolescence in Sub-Saharan Africa? A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Most neurodevelopmental tests used to assess child development in sub-Saharan Africa were developed in western or high-income countries, raising the question of their usefulness with African children. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review identified and synthesized key findings from studies measuring development in children in Sub-Saharan Africa in early childhood and again at school age, to assess neurocognitive associations longitudinally from infancy through middle childhood. METHODS: The study was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method, selecting articles referenced in the PubMed, PsycInfo, and Embase databases using the following inclusion criteria: published between 2000 and 2022, written in French or English, and presenting results dealing with the objective assessment of child's neurodevelopment. All articles were registered in the Zotero reference manager and analyzed by title, abstract, and full text. RESULTS: Several of the seven selected studies confirmed that attention and working memory in infancy can predict children's neurocognitive performance, including mathematical ability, at school age. In two of the studies, children with poor mental development at 1 year of age are more likely to present with poorer behavioral development at school age, including learning difficulties in school and risk for grade repetition. CONCLUSION: Cognitive ability assessed in early childhood is strongly associated with performance at school age in cohorts of African children followed longitudinally. Even with assessments adapted cross-culturally, infants and preschoolers at risk for poor developmental outcomes can be identified to better receive strategic early interventions to enhance their development.

[Fathers' negative experience of childbirth is associated with an increased risk of paternal postpartum depression]. / L'accouchement vécu négativement par les pères est associé à une augmentation du risque de dépression paternelle en post-partum.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the childbirth experience by primiparous fathers living in France on their level of postnatal depression, parental self-efficacy, and postnatal sense of security. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty men answered sociodemographic questions and filled up the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the First-Time Father Questionnaire (FTFQ), the Parent Expectations Survey (PES) and the Parents' Postnatal Sense of Security Instrument (PPSSi). RESULTS: A negative birth experience was associated with a higher rate of postnatal depressive symptoms (P<.001) and a lower level of postnatal security (P<.001). However, no relationship was found between childbirth experience and sense of parental efficacy (P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Similar to mothers, the way fathers experience the birth of their partner can have consequences for the way they go through the postpartum period. In order to prevent possible depressive affects that may impact the relationship with their child, and to strengthen their sense of security when returning home, it is important to provide fathers with appropriate support throughout the perinatal period.

Psychological impact of hypnosis for pregnancy and childbirth: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The use of hypnosis as a complementary therapy in the perinatal field is expanding, however, there is little research for its impact on perinatal mental health. Here, we review studies that evaluate the effect of hypnosis on women's mental health and subjective experiences. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA protocol for articles with experimental designs of hypnosis that measured their impact on several psychological variables, such as the presence of symptoms of anxiety, depression or fear of childbirth. Studies were evaluated according to the Critical Appraisal Skills Program Checklists (CASP), and analyzed for their designs and intervention themes. RESULTS: Seven studies were included and six themes emerged: preparation for birth and unexpected events; change in the perception and experience of pain; pregnant body as a natural process; connection with the baby during pregnancy; development of inner resources; and progressive relaxation and guided imagery. Although results were partly mitigated, most studies found positive effects of hypnosis in alleviating anxiety, depression, and fear towards birth, empowering women with a higher sense of confidence and improving the overall emotional experience. Two studies also indicate encouraging outcomes in postnatal wellbeing. CONCLUSION: While it is still argued as to what extent hypnosis has positive effects on physical aspects of labor, the empowerment and the increase in confidence associated with hypnosis seem to bring a significant contribution to a more positive subjective experience of pregnancy and childbirth, and on women's overall wellbeing in the perinatal period.

Postnatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Impact on mothers' postnatal sense of security and on mother-to-infant bonding.

BACKGROUND: The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic context imposed new living conditions which greatly modified women's experience of the postpartum period and brought significant changes to postnatal care. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic context on maternal sense of security and on mother-to-child bonding in the postpartum. DESIGN: This study had a mixed research design. We compared levels of mother-child bonding disturbances and of maternal emotional security amongst two samples of postnatal women recruited before and during the pandemic. Postnatal depression was also evaluated. A qualitative analysis of the participants' comments on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was performed with an open-coding approach. PARTICIPANTS: Two samples of French-speaking mothers in the first six months after their childbirth, recruited before the pandemic (N=874) and during the pandemic (N=721). FINDINGS: Mother-child bonding disturbances measured with PBQ and levels of emotional security levels evaluated with PPSSi did not differ significantly between the samples. A high prevalence of women at risk of postnatal depression was found in both samples. However, participants' comments on their postnatal experience during the pandemic contrasted with their quantitative data. Fears of contamination, social isolation, and lack of support were the main factors of insecurity. Lack of closeness with relatives and friends, limited presence of the partner in the maternity ward, and early interactions with the newborn with a mask appear to have altered mother-child bonding during this pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings highlight the importance of considering social and environmental factors and needs when evaluating postnatal mental health and providing postnatal care to new mothers during a health crisis. Health services and professionals should pay particular attention to mothers' mental health and well-being and guarantee continuity of care to avoid parents' isolation in the sensitive postpartum period.

Prenatal attachment in women with twin versus singleton pregnancy: Socio-demographic, mental health and pregnancy-related predictors.

BACKGROUND: While twin pregnancy (TP) is associated with increased maternal physical and psychological risks, little is known about how this context interferes with prenatal attachment. AIMS: To compare the level of prenatal attachment between women with TP and singleton pregnancy (SP), and to investigate socio-demographic, maternal mental health and pregnancy-related predictors. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study in a university hospital. SUBJECTS: 119 women with TP during their last trimester of pregnancy versus 103 women with SP. OUTCOME MEASURES: The Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), in addition to the collection of general socio-demographic and medical data. RESULTS: The mean PAI total score did not significantly differ between the two groups. In the group of women with TP, low but statistically significant correlations were found between the PAI total score and the EPDS total score (r = -0.21) and with maternal age (r = -0.20). CONCLUSIONS: No major difference in prenatal attachment was found in women TP compared to those with SP. A higher level of depressive symptoms is worth considering to explore the risk of suboptimal attachment in this population. Questions were raised about the applicability of usual measures of prenatal attachment in this context.

Postpartum Blues in Fathers: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Impact on Father-to-Infant Bond.

In this study we explored, in men, one of the most common postpartum syndromes in women: the postpartum blues. The aims of the study were (a) to evaluate the prevalence of postpartum blues in fathers, (b) to explore the sociodemographic and perinatal factors that may be associated with its intensity, and (c) to investigate the relationship between the intensity of blues symptoms and the quality of father-to-infant bonding. Three hundred and three French-speaking fathers living in France completed a sociodemographic and obstetrical questionnaire, the Maternity Blues Questionnaire, and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire. The fathers were recruited from two maternity hospitals and a Child and Maternal Health Centre within 10 days of their infant's birth, or from online forums devoted to parenting. At least 17.5% of fathers experienced postpartum blues. A high level of education was associated with a higher level of postpartum blues symptoms. Dissatisfaction with the maternity care and significant father involvement during pregnancy and delivery predicted more severe postpartum blues symptoms. Symptoms of postpartum blues were positively correlated with impairment in the father-to-infant bond. This study lends support to the existence of postpartum blues among fathers and highlights its possible consequences on early father-infant relationships.

Optimizing the Assessment of Parental Burnout: A Multi-informant and Multimethod Approach to Determine Cutoffs for the Parental Burnout Inventory and the Parental Burnout Assessment.

Parental burnout (PB) is a chronic stress-related condition resulting from long-lasting exposure to overwhelming parenting stress. Previous studies showing the seriousness of this condition stressed the urgent need to provide researchers and practitioners with effective assessment tools. Validated PB measures are the Parental Burnout Inventory (PBI) and the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA). The good psychometric properties of these instruments have been replicated across different samples and countries, but thresholds for identifying impairing PB levels (i.e., cutoff scores) have not yet been established. The present study aims to fill this gap by adopting a multi-informant and multimethod approach to a sample of 192 burned-out and control parents. PBI and PBA cutoffs were derived from the combination of several PB indicators, based on a preregistered analysis strategy. Results identified a score of 74.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) = [69.48-79.68]) for the PBI and 86.3 (95% CI = [79.49-93.03]) for the PBA as indicators of the most severe PB levels.

Prevalence, Evolution, and Predictive Factors of Symptoms of Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a French-Speaking Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Identifying factors that are predictive for postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is important to inform clinical and research practice. Yet prospective longitudinal studies investigating symptoms of postpartum PTSD and their prevalence, evolution, comorbidities, and predictors remain limited. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of women's symptoms of PTSD at different times in the postpartum period and to identify comorbidities and predictive factors in a French-speaking sample. METHODS: A total of 168 women participated in this longitudinal study, which included 3 assessment points: immediate postpartum, 2 months postpartum, and 6 months postpartum. Participants filled out questionnaires regarding sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy, and birth outcomes; subjective perceptions of birth; and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. RESULTS: Among the participants, 11.7% reported having symptoms of PTSD 2 months after birth and 10.5% reported having symptoms 6 months after birth. Regarding comorbidities and associated factors, depressive symptoms, poor marital adjustment, and impaired maternal-infant bonding were significantly and positively correlated with symptoms of PTSD. Peritraumatic distress, negative perceived childbirth experience, and complications and perceived difficulties during birth were predictive factors for postpartum PTSD. DISCUSSION: More than 1 in 10 women experienced symptoms of postpartum PTSD. Health care professionals need to be aware of symptoms of postpartum PTSD, predictive factors, and comorbidities to be able to better identify women presenting those symptoms and refer them for appropriate psychological support.

Traumatic Experiences in Childhood and Maternal Depressive Symptomatology: Their Impact on Parenting in Preschool.

The goal of this study is to describe and analyze the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms and its relation to the parental interactions of mothers (19-47 years) with their 3-4 year old preschool children. Parental interactions, traumatic experiences in mothers' childhood, and current depressive symptoms were measured using the Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes (PICCOLO), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form (CTQ), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-I), respectively. A nonclinical sample of 81 Chilean mothers with their children was used. Results show that the presence of trauma in mothers' childhood has an impact on parenting; specifically, mothers with an emotional neglect experience showed greater difficulties in adequately promoting autonomy in their children.

Postpartum specific anxiety in a French population: Validation of the French version of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale [PSAS-FR].

PURPOSE: This study aims to validate the Postpartum-Specific-Anxiety-Scale (PSAS) as a French-language instrument, which assesses maternal and infant-related anxieties during the postpartum period. DESIGN AND METHODS: The methodology included six stages: preliminary French translation; selection of most articulate items and back-translation; rectification of discrepancies; pilot study (n = 257); reliability and validity studies (n = 258; n = 874); and test-retest reliability study (n = 231). FINDINGS: The PSAS-FR demonstrated good acceptability, high internal consistency of the global scale (Cronbach's α = 0.93), and each of the factors; along with good validity, and test-retest reliability. The receiver operating characteristic analysis suggested a satisfactory screening tool. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The PSAS-FR appears to be a valid and reliable tool to screen for postpartum anxieties in the French-speaking population.

Impact of the Timing of Maternal Peripartum Depression on Infant Social and Emotional Development at 18 Months.

The study assessed how the timing of maternal perinatal depressive symptoms affects infant socio-emotional characteristics at age 18 months. The study was a longitudinal cohort study that included six assessment points from the third trimester of pregnancy up to age 18 months (±1 month). Assessment of mothers included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, while assessments of infant included the Infant Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (ITSEA) at 18 months. Mothers were categorized into one of the following groups: mothers who presented postnatal depression only (n = 19); mothers who presented both prenatal and postnatal depression (n = 14), and mothers who never showed perinatal depression symptoms (n = 38). Mothers who presented both prenatal and postnatal depression showed significantly higher levels of depressive score, reactivity to stress and level of anxiety trait compared to mothers of the two other groups. Infants of prenatally and postnatally depressed mothers had higher scores on the internalizing subscore of the ITSEA. The number of depression episodes during the study period was positively correlated with the externalizing and internalizing subscores of the ITSEA. These findings support the need to provide specific screening to identify women with prenatal depression.

(Re)Establishment of fatherhood among fathers of children with mental disorders: A qualitative metasynthesis.

This metasynthesis synthesized and interpreted qualitative research results on the experience of fathers who care for children with mental disorders. It followed the guidelines from the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research statement. A search was conducted in five databases. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative research checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the studies, and the Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (Grade-CERQual) approach was used to assess review findings. Thematic analysis of 12 articles included yielded the theme (re)establishment of fatherhood and four subthemes: redefinition of expectations, redefinition of the fatherhood role, benefits achieved with increased father involvement, and strengths and challenges in fatherhood, all of which demonstrated how repercussions from diagnosis and redefinition of expectations of masculinity and fatherhood affected the way fathers exercise fatherhood. Fathers were participative and attentive to their child's needs, even in a challenging context demanding integration of care with work obligations. This metasynthesis highlights challenges faced by fathers in acquiring new skills and competencies while caring for their children. The findings identify a need for interventions to facilitate fathers' involvement in caring for their children.