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A mindfulness relationship-based model to support maternal mental health and the mother-baby relationship in pregnancy and beyond birth
Published in Antonella Sansone, Cultivating Mindfulness to Raise Children Who Thrive, 2020
For too long, the importance of the father’s mental health and its links with maternal and child mental health has been ignored and their experiences either sidelined or treated in isolation from that of mothers. I showed in Chapter 8 how a depressed father is likely to be less involved in the care of the infant and during pregnancy less motivated in supporting pregnancy and the mother-prenate relationship. I looked at evidence for the associations between depression in fathers in the prenatal and postnatal period and behavioural/emotional problems in their children. Studies from 1980 to 2007 (Schumacher, 2008) found that birth-related paternal depression was closely associated with maternal depressive symptoms and higher risks for children’s emotional and behavioural problems. Couple conflict can also explain emotional problems in very young children. Relationship dissatisfaction was found to be the strongest predictor of maternal emotional distress (Røsand et al., 2012). Relationship satisfaction appeared to buffer the effects of stressors such as moving, somatic disease, family outcome, irregular working hours, dissatisfaction at work, work demands, and maternal sick leave.
Education and support for fathers
Published in Mary L. Nolan, Parent Education for the Critical 1000 Days, 2020
Information about and opportunities to discuss mental health across the transition to parenthood are highly relevant to fathers, of whom around 5–10% are affected by postnatal depression (Paulson & Bazemore, 2010). For fathers, as for mothers, the arrival of a baby is a time of adjustment with changes in their sleep pattern to accommodate, new roles and responsibilities to assume and new friendship networks to form. As with women, a previous history of depression renders new fathers particularly vulnerable to postnatal mental ill health. Owing to its negative impact on the family environment, paternal depression has been found to adversely influence infant temperament (Gutierrez-Galve et al., 2015).
The types of conditions
Published in Jane Hanley, Mark Williams, Fathers and Perinatal Mental Health, 2019
There are several features to paternal depression, most of which are familiar to both genders. The symptoms of maternal postnatal depression are well documented, but those attributed to men, although similar, are often presented differently. The profound and consistent lowering of his mood state explains why his emotional responses are at their slowest, and it is difficult for him to summon up any energy or enthusiasm. The father may lack energy and have to be coerced into doing things, which he may reluctantly perform. Designated male tasks, to include washing the car or mowing the lawn may be neglected and with these omissions, the overall care of the household suffers. This can be frustrating for the mother who relied on the support of her partner to help with the care of the infant.
History of “Serve and Return” and a Synthesis of the Literature on Its Impacts on Children’s Health and Development
Published in Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2023
Jelena Komanchuk, Nicole Letourneau, Linda Duffett-Leger, Judy L. Cameron
Research in the 1980s and 1990s first showed that mothers experiencing postpartum depression were less affectionate, sensitively attuned, and responsive to their infant’s cues than mothers without depression (Beck, 1995). In a meta-analysis of 19 studies (conducted by a nurse researcher), postpartum depression had a moderate to large negative effect on maternal and infant behaviors during interactions (Beck, 1995). Maternal depressive symptoms are associated with poor sensitivity to children’s distress cues (Spieker et al., 2018). Infants of mothers with depression have also shown the classic reduced positive affect and gaze and increased negative affect during the Still-Face (i.e., adult portrays a still face, does not respond to infant) Paradigm (see Graham et al., 2018 for meta-analysis). However, these infants also demonstrated higher levels of positive affect than their peers during the still-face episode, suggesting adaptive attempts to engage their mothers (Graham et al., 2018). Paternal depression is associated with negative parenting behaviors (e.g., intrusiveness), and fewer positive behaviors, such as sensitivity (see Wilson & Durbin, 2010 for review). Parental depression is a complex construct that can negatively affect family functioning (e.g., poor parent-child interactions), and the family environment (e.g., parental social isolation, marital dissatisfaction) can also contribute to parental depression (see Letourneau et al., 2012 for review).
Parents’ Mental Health Experiences during the Perinatal Transition: A Qualitative Study
Published in Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2022
Jennifer S. Jewell, Charlotte V. Farewell, Jessica Walls, Ashley Brooks-Russell, Allison Dempsey, Jenn A. Leiferman
Depressive symptoms may include sadness, disrupted sleep and appetite, moodiness, higher levels of disengaged and negative behavior, lower levels of positive behavior, and higher odds of risky behavior such as inconsistent car seat usage (Field, 2017; Leiferman, 2002; Lovejoy et al., 2000). Child outcomes associated with PPD include premature birth, interruption of bonding and breastfeeding, persistent sleep problems, temperamental difficulties, difficulty self-regulating, decreased behavioral inhibition, emotional maladjustment, and violent behavior (Bagner et al., 2013; Beck, 1998; Field, 2017; Grigoriadis et al., 2013; Pearlstein et al., 2009; Slomian et al., 2019). There are mixed results about the strength of the relationship between maternal and paternal depression, but evidence supports that a relationship does exist (Cameron et al., 2016; Goodman, 2004; Paulson et al., 2016; Paulson & Bazemore, 2010). Couple conflict may also play a role in the strength of the relationship between maternal PPD, paternal depression, and child behavior outcomes (Gutierrez-Galve et al., 2015; Hanington et al., 2012).
“Fathers Need Help Too”: Adolescent Fathers and Depression
Published in Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2021
Perinatal mood disorders have been identified as a public health concern during pregnancy and postpartum (perinatal) period, particularly in mothers (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2015). In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the burden of ill-health experienced by fathers (Philpott & Corcoran, 2018). Estimates show that 1 in 10 fathers develop paternal depression after the birth of their child, with symptoms lasting up to five years postpartum (Garfield et al., 2014). Symptoms of paternal depression have been described as having low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, weight gain/loss, sleep disturbance, fatigue or low energy, irritability, restlessness, negative thoughts, withdrawal, and social isolation (Kim & Swain, 2007). Depressive symptoms are generally similar between mothers and fathers; however, fathers are more likely to exhibit increased irritability and substance and alcohol use (Walsh et al., 2020).