Psychological distress and resilience of mothers and fathers with respect to the neurobehavioral performance of small-for-gestational-age newborns

Abstract

Background The existence of psychological distress (PD) during pregnancy is well established. Nevertheless, few studies have analyzed the PD and resilience of mothers and fathers during high-risk pregnancy. This study analyzes the differences between parents’ PD and resilience and the relation between them and the neurobehavioral performance of their SGA newborns. Methods This prospective study compares two groups of parents and newborns: case group (52 parents and 26 SGA fetuses) and comparison group (68 parents and 34 appropriate-for-gestational-age, AGA, fetuses). In each group, the parents were evaluated during the last trimester of pregnancy, to obtain standardized measures of depression, stress, anxiety, and resilience. At 40 ± 1 weeks corrected gestational age, psychologists evaluated the state of neonatal neuromaturity achieved. Results Multivariate analysis of variance showed, in gender comparisons, that mothers obtained higher scores than fathers for psychological distress but lower ones for resilience. Similar differences were obtained in the comparison of parents’ distress to intrauterine growth by SGA vs. AGA newborns. Mothers of SGA newborns were more distressed than the other groups. However, there were no differences between the fathers of SGA vs. AGA newborns. Regarding neurobehavioral performance, the profiles of SGA newborns reflected a lower degree of maturity than those of AGA newborns. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that high stress and low resilience among mothers partially predict low neurobehavioral performance in SGA newborns. Conclusions These findings indicate that mothers of SGA newborns may need psychological support to relieve stress and improve their resilience. Furthermore, attention should be paid to the neurobehavioral performance of their babies in case early attention is needed.

Effectiveness of a guided ACT-based self-help resilience training for depressive symptoms during pregnancy: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial embedded in a prospective cohort

“…Second, embedding this RCT in a prospective cohort study provides an excellent opportunity to examine trajectories of mental resilience factors and levels of peripartum depressive symptomatology in association with several maternal and child outcomes. To date, associations between resilience and psychological well-being have only been examined in non-pregnant populations, and associations between resilience factors and maternal or child outcomes have only been assessed in a few small-scale (longitudinal) studies [ 14 – 16 ].…”

“…In non-pregnant populations, positive associations between resilience and psychological well-being have been observed [ 12 ]. To date, only a few small studies have examined associations between levels of resilience (or related factors) and maternal depression and depressive symptoms or infant behavioral and developmental outcomes [ 14 – 16 ]. More specifically, by examining trajectories of antepartum and postpartum depressive symptoms in association with maternal antepartum resilience, psychological well-being, and developmental outcomes of the young child, a better understanding of individualized treatment options can be gained.…”

Fatherhood and High-Risk Pregnancy: A Scoping Review

“…A 'normal pregnancy' can have a negative psychological impact on both the mother and her partner; however, this impact is exacerbated when the pregnancy is high-risk (7). In both instances, the focus tends to be on the impact on the mother's well-being and less so on the father's (8,9). This is particularly evident in some developed countries for example, where there are not only physical services for women that have a HRP (for pregnancy appointments; provision of food and other supplies etc.…”

Resilience as a Mediator of the Association Between Perceived Stigma and Quality of Life Among People With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…Resilience could help individuals adopt positive coping strategies (disclosure and seeking support) to maintain good psychosocial function (34). Higher levels of resilience are reportedly associated with fewer negative emotions and better interpersonal communication (15,16,50). In terms of neuro mechanisms, resilience could invoke specific brain structures and neural circuits, prompting the individual to regulate emotion and engage in prosocial behavior (17,18).…”

“…QOL among patients with IBD may be influenced by disease symptoms, treatment regimen, and various psychosocial variables (14). Psychosocial variables could affect the patients' psychological and social functions and alter gastrointestinal physiology by activating the microbiota-brain-gut axis, leading to decreased or improved QOL (15)(16)(17)(18). Sweeney and her colleagues reported that depression, fear avoidance, and catastrophizing were risk factors for IBD -related pain, while self-efficacy and mental well-being were protective factors (19).…”