Decreased startle modulation during anticipation in the postpartum period in comparison to late pregnancy.
Arch Womens Ment Health
; 15(2): 87-94, 2012 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22315106
ABSTRACT
Knowledge about healthy women's psychophysiological adaptations during the large neuroendocrine changes of pregnancy and childbirth is essential in order to understand why these events have the potential to disrupt mental health in vulnerable individuals. This study aimed to compare startle response modulation, an objective psychophysiological measure demonstrated to be influenced by anxiety and depression, longitudinally across late pregnancy and the postpartum period. The acoustic startle response modulation was assessed during anticipation of affective images and during image viewing in 31 healthy women during gestational weeks 3639 and again at 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. No startle modulation by affective images was observed at either time point. Significant modulation during anticipation stimuli was found at pregnancy assessment but was reduced in the postpartum period. The women rated the unpleasant images more negative and more arousing and the pleasant images more positive at the postpartum assessment. Self-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms did not change between assessments. The observed postpartum decrease in modulation of startle by anticipation suggests a relatively deactivated defense system in the postpartum period.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Terceiro Trimestre da Gravidez
/
Reflexo de Sobressalto
/
Piscadela
/
Afeto
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Período Pós-Parto
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Arch Womens Ment Health
Assunto da revista:
PSICOLOGIA
/
SAUDE DA MULHER
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Suécia