A prospective study of the parent–baby bond in men and women 15 months after birth

Abstract

Objective: To prospectively examine the impact of parental mental health (PTSD, depression and anxiety), the couple's relationship quality and the infant temperament on the parent-baby bond in first-time mothers and fathers. Background: Evidence suggests that poor parental mental health, difficult infant temperament and/or lower quality of the couple's relationship may impede the parent-baby bond. However, little research has included both parents or followed these measures across time. Methods: 75 women and 66 men completed questionnaire measures during pregnancy, 3 and 15 months postpartum, assessing mental health symptoms, the parent-baby bond, the couple's relationship and infant characteristics. The response rates at different time-points were 90%, 77% and 70%. Results: The parent-baby bond was associated with parental mental health, the couple's relationship and infant characteristics. The most important predictors of the parent-baby bond three months postpartum for both men and women were the couple's relationship during pregnancy and their baby's temperament at three months. At 15 months postpartum, after accounting for the parent-baby bond at 3 months, only concurrent infant temperament remained a significant predictor for women. However, men's bond with their baby at 15 months was predicted by their relationship with their partner in pregnancy and concurrent affective symptoms. Few significant gender differences were found, apart from women reporting more mental health symptoms than men. Conclusion: This study highlights the significance of the couple's relationship in pregnancy and the infant's temperament on the development of the parent-baby bond. Future research is needed to examine this in larger more representative samples.Keywords: parent-baby bond; mental health; longitudinal; father(s); mother(s) IntroductionThe formation of a close positive early relationship between a parent and their baby is widely viewed as important for a range of child outcomes, such as social, emotional and cognitive development. Impaired parent-baby relationships have been estimated to range between 3% and 9% in the general population (Righetti-Veltema, Conne-Perrard, Bousquet, & Manzano, 2002;Skovgaard et al., 2008) and between 10% and 25% in psychiatric samples (Brockington, 2004).

Maternal posttraumatic stress disorder during the perinatal period and child outcomes: A systematic review

“…However, four studies did not report this figure (Parfitt, Ayers, Pike, Jessop, & Ford, 2014;Pierrehumbert, Nicole, Muller-Nix, Forcada-Guex, & Ansermet, 2003;Seng, et al, 2013;Yehuda, et al, 2005), which means that conclusions should be drawn cautiously.…”

Parental Birth-Related PTSD Symptoms and Bonding in the Early Postpartum Period: A Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study

“…Some researchers propose that bonding difficulties develop secondary to an untreated primary mother’s postpartum depression, whereas others suggest that these can also occur in women who have not suffered from maternal depression ( 7 ). Regarding fathers, one small study (n = 66) showed that affective symptoms at 3 months postpartum was not associated with father-infant bonding at 3 months postpartum but predicted father-infant bonding at 15 months postpartum ( 10 ). However, more evidence in a larger sample is needed.…”

Depresión posparto en padres: ¿por qué también es importante?

“…Si bien el hombre no experimenta los cambios fidios de llanto prolongado y dificultades en el sueño de sus hijos pequeños 6 , existen mayores dificultades en la interacción [22][23][24] , los lactantes presentarían mayores dificultades en la conducta alimentaria 19 y además existe un mayor riesgo de desarrollar un estilo de apego inseguro 25 . En el mediano plazo, los hijos de padres con DPP tienden a presentar un aumento tanto en la frecuencia de alteraciones del comportamiento, tales como problemas de conducta o hiperactividad 25 , como en los problemas emocionales 26 .…”