The effect of preterm birth on infant negative affect and maternal postpartum depressive symptoms: A preliminary examination in an underrepresented minority sample

Abstract

Objective To examine the effect of preterm birth on maternal postpartum depressive symptoms and infant negative affect in an underrepresented minority sample. Method Participants were 102 mothers and their 3- to 10-month-old infants. Mothers completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised. Results Relative to normative samples, the current underrepresented minority sample of mostly Hispanics and Blacks displayed high rates of preterm birth (30%) and maternal postpartum depressive symptoms (17%). Preterm birth had a significant direct effect on postpartum depressive symptoms and infant negative affect. Additionally, there was an indirect effect of postpartum depressive symptoms on the relation between preterm birth and infant negative affect. Specifically, lower birth weight and gestational age predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms in the mother, and higher levels of depressive symptoms in the mother, in turn, predicted higher levels of infant negative affect. Conclusion Findings emphasize the importance of screening for postpartum depressive symptoms and infant negative affect among mothers and their preterm infants, especially among families from underrepresented minority backgrounds.

Obstetrical, pregnancy and socio-economic predictors for new-onset severe postpartum psychiatric disorders in primiparous women

“…A careful review of the literature indicates that medical complications occurring during pregnancy and/or childbirth have been inconsistently linked to postpartum psychiatric disorders (Blom et al 2010). These include complications of pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia (Steegers et al 2010; Robillard et al 2011; Di Florio et al 2014; Munk-Olsen et al 2014), hyperemesis gravidarum (HG; severe nausea and vomiting) (Poursharif et al 2008; Buyukkayaci Duman et al 2015), gestational diabetes (Nicklas et al 2013; Barakat et al 2014; Ferrara et al 2014; Meltzer-Brody & Stuebe, 2014) and gestational hypertension (Bijlenga et al 2011; Rigó et al 2015), as well as obstetrical complications including postpartum hemorrhage (Sentilhes et al 2011; Thompson et al 2011), Cesarean section (C-section) (Hannah et al 2004; Sword et al 2011; Houston et al 2015) and preterm birth (Grigoriadis et al 2013; Barroso et al 2015; Helle et al 2015). These pregnancy and obstetrical complications occur relatively commonly: The prevalence of pre-eclampsia is 5–8% of all pregnancies (Leffert, 2015), preterm birth is about 10% (Delnord et al 2015; Horgan, 2015) and gestational diabetes is up to 9% (DeSisto et al 2014).…”

Do Successive Preterm Births Increase the Risk of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms?

“…Poor birth outcomes such as preterm birth have been reported to increase the risk of postpartum depressive symptoms in women [ 5 – 7 ]. O'brien et al, in a longitudinal study on maternal depression following premature birth, reported that almost half the mothers of premature infants reported depressive symptoms during hospitalization, at discharge, and six weeks after discharge [ 8 ].…”

Maternal post-traumatic stress and depression symptoms and outcomes after NICU discharge in a low-income sample: a cross-sectional study

“…Screening scores positive for stress and depression were associated with a negative change in some infant development scores and maternal quality of life scores. While studies have examined the impact of maternal mental health on the mother and fetus [ 31 ], few have examined the prevalence of PTSD and depression after NICU discharge in a diverse and underserved population as presented [ 32 ].…”