Psychological risks to mother–infant bonding during the COVID-19 pandemic

Liu, Cindy H.; Hyun, Sunah; Mittal, Leena; Erdei, Carmina

doi:10.1038/s41390-021-01751-9

Cited by 40 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 100 publications

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“…The loss of a beloved one from COVID-19 was associated with psychological distress among pregnant women. While the impact of COVID-19-related grief on mental health symptoms and maternal–infant bonding in the postnatal period has been recognized [ 38 ], our results suggest the need for taking into account losses experienced during pregnancy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 among Women Accessing Family Care Centers during Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period in Italy

Lega

Bramante²,

Lauria

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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There has been concern about the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on women’s mental health during the perinatal period. We conducted a cross-sectional web-based study aimed at evaluating the psychological impact (BSI-18) of the COVID-19 pandemic on this population and collecting information on the perinatal experiences (COPE-IS) during the second Italian wave. Overall, 1168 pregnant women, and 940 within the first six months after childbirth, were recruited in selected Italian Family Care Centers from October 2020 to May 2021. The prevalence of psychological distress symptoms during pregnancy was 12.1% and 9.3% in the postnatal group. Financial difficulties, a previous mood or anxiety disorder and lack of perceived social support and of support provided by health professionals were associated to psychological distress symptoms in both groups. A third of the women felt unsupported by their social network; 61.7% of the pregnant women experienced changes in antenatal care; 21.2% of those in the postnatal period gave birth alone; more than 80% of the participants identified access to medical and mental health care and self-help as important resources in the present context. Health services should assure enhanced support to the most vulnerable women who face the perinatal period during the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 among Women Accessing Family Care Centers during Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period in Italy

Lega

Bramante²,

Lauria

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Another survey in 2014 reported that about half of fathers with children under 6 years old lacked confidence in the ability to raise their children [ 17 ]. By analogy with the association between maternal confidence in caregiving and mother–infant bonding [ 33 ], fathers’ lack of confidence due to insufficient knowledge and absence of role models may lead to father–infant bonding impairment during paternity leave.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Paternity Leave with Impaired Father–Infant Bonding: Findings from a Nationwide Online Survey in Japan

Terada

Fujiwara

Obikane

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Although the number of fathers taking childcare leave is increasing, the impact of paternity leave on father–infant bonding remains to be fully investigated. This study aimed to assess the association between paternity leave and father–infant bonding among fathers with children under two years old. A cross-sectional study was performed using data from the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey study, a nationwide online survey conducted between July and August 2021 (N = 1194). Father–infant bonding was assessed by the Japanese version of the Mother–Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS-J), which comprised two subscales (lack of affection (LA), and anger and rejection (AR)), with a higher score denoting poor bonding. Four hundred (33.5%) fathers self-reported taking childcare leave. Paternity leave was associated with higher total MIBS-J score and AR score after adjusting for covariates (coefficient 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.96, coefficient 0.26; 95% CI 0.03–0.49, respectively), but not with LA score (coefficient 0.10; 95% CI −0.13–0.34). There was no trend in the association between paternity leave and total MIBS-J score by children’s age group (p for trend = 0.98). Paternity leave was associated with impaired bonding, especially with increased anger and rejection, among fathers with children under two years of age.

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“…Mothers in the NICU have reported that pumping and providing breast milk is an act of caring for their infant and facilitates bonding [ 27 , 28 ]. Further, symptoms of state and trait anxiety are not always associated with reduced breastfeeding in NICU settings, as researchers sometimes predict [ 29 ]—and maternal worry can even facilitate—more optimal maternal–infant bonding [ 30 ]. Our study, taken together with previous studies, supports the hypothesis that MM provision contributes to greater maternal sensitivity, an important predictor of long-term mother–infant attachment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal Milk Provision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Mother–Infant Emotional Connection for Preterm Infants

et al. 2022

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Maternal milk (MM) intake during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization is associated with improved neurodevelopment in preterm infants. Underlying mechanisms may include stronger mother–infant emotional connection. This paper examines associations between MM provision in the NICU with maternal connection to her infant using three factors validated in our sample: maternal sensitivity, emotional concern, and positive interaction/engagement. We studied 70 mothers of infants born <1500 g and/or <32 weeks’ gestation. Associations between MM provision and mother–infant connection were modeled using median regression adjusted for clustering. Mothers who provided exclusive MM (i.e., 100% MM, no other milk) reported higher levels of maternal sensitivity by a median score of 2 units (β = 2.00, 95% CI: 0.76, 3.24, p = 0.002) than the mixed group (i.e., MM < 100% days, other milk ≥1 days), as well as greater emotional concern (β = 3.00, 95% CI: −0.002, 6.00, p = 0.05). Among mothers of very preterm infants, greater milk provision was associated with greater maternal sensitivity, but also with greater emotional concern about meeting the infant’s needs. These findings highlight the importance of supporting MM provision and early infant care as an integrated part of lactation support. The findings may also provide insight into links between MM provision in the NICU and infant neurodevelopment.

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Psychological risks to mother–infant bonding during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 40 publications

References 100 publications

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 among Women Accessing Family Care Centers during Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period in Italy

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 among Women Accessing Family Care Centers during Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period in Italy

Association of Paternity Leave with Impaired Father–Infant Bonding: Findings from a Nationwide Online Survey in Japan

Maternal Milk Provision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Mother–Infant Emotional Connection for Preterm Infants

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