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Development and Psychopathology Aug 2023Maladaptive offspring emotion regulation has been identified as one pathway linking maternal and child psychological well-being in school-aged children. Whether such a...
Maladaptive offspring emotion regulation has been identified as one pathway linking maternal and child psychological well-being in school-aged children. Whether such a pathway is present earlier in life still remains unclear. The present study investigated the role of preschoolers' emotion reactivity and regulation in the association between maternal psychological distress and child internalizing and externalizing problems. Children's emotion reactivity and regulation were assessed through both observed behavior and physiology. At 42 months of age, children ( = 251; 128 girls) completed a fear induction task during which their heart-rate variability was assessed and their behavior was monitored, and maternal self-reports on depressive mood and anxiety were collected. At 48 months mothers and fathers reported on their children's internalizing and externalizing problems. Higher maternal depressive mood was associated with lower child fear-related reactivity and regulation, as indexed by heart-rate variability. The latter mediated the association between higher maternal depressive mood and higher preschoolers' externalizing problems. Overall, our findings support the role of preschoolers' emotion reactivity and regulation in the relationship between maternal psychological distress and children's socio-emotional difficulties. This role may also depend on the discrete emotion to which children react or seek to regulate as, here, we only assessed fear-related reactivity and regulation.
Topics: Female; Child; Humans; Child Behavior; Emotions; Problem Behavior; Mothers; Psychological Distress
PubMed: 34779373
DOI: 10.1017/S0954579421000936 -
Maternal and Child Health Journal Jan 2024Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common, often co-occur, and are associated with poor health outcomes across the life course. Emerging research has emphasized... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common, often co-occur, and are associated with poor health outcomes across the life course. Emerging research has emphasized the lasting consequences of ACEs across generations, suggesting parental ACEs are associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes in children. However, the individual effects of fathers' ACEs and pathways of transmission remain unclear. A scoping review was conducted to summarize the current knowledgebase of the intergenerational consequences of parental ACEs on offspring health, clarify pathways of transmission, understand how ACEs are operationalized in the intergenerational literature, and identify gaps in knowledge.
METHODS
Six electronic databases were searched for articles published in English from 1995 to 2022 relating to the long-term consequences of parental ACEs on offspring physical and mental health. Articles underwent title, abstract, and full-text review by two investigators. Content analysis was performed to integrate findings across the included studies.
RESULTS
The search yielded 14,542 unique articles; 49 met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-six articles focused exclusively on mothers, one solely on fathers, and 12 included both mothers and fathers in their analyses. Six studies used an expanded definition of ACEs. Both direct and indirect associations between parental ACEs and poor offspring outcomes were identified, primarily through biological and psychosocial pathways.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings underscore the importance and oversight of fathers and the need to solidify a unified definition and measure of ACEs. This review identified modifiable protective factors (social support, father involvement) and pathways of transmission (parental mental health, parenting); both having important implications for intervention development.
Topics: Child; Male; Female; Humans; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Mental Health; Mothers; Fathers; Parenting
PubMed: 37914980
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03825-y -
Midwifery Nov 2023Fear of childbirth is a prevalent clinical psychological issue for both mother and father; however, there is a lack of research comparing and summarizing discrepancies... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Fear of childbirth is a prevalent clinical psychological issue for both mother and father; however, there is a lack of research comparing and summarizing discrepancies in parental fear of childbirth.
AIM
This study aimed to explore differences in parental fear of childbirth, identify gaps in related research area, and provide directions for future studies.
METHODS
Original references were searched from six databases by using subject terms associated with fear of childbirth. The guideline of the scoping review framework proposed by Arksey and O' Malley were applied.
RESULTS
The review covered 203 publications in all. Of them, 181 were maternal studies and 22 were paternal studies. 105 articles examined prevalence and influencing factors ranging from 0.7 % to 89.3 % in mothers and 5 % to 54.3 % in fathers. The current study included 84 influencing factors, 9 of which were common to parents and 75 of which were different, containing fathers' specific influences on fear of childbirth are perceived pregnancy difficulties, perceived birth difficulties, feelings about the upcoming birth, more frequent thoughts of birth in the middle of pregnancy and not attending parent education classes. 12 articles dealt with the experience of fear of childbirth, and the parents' fear of childbirth had 5 common themes, including fear of the birthing process, fear related to the baby, fear of lack of support, fear of postnatal health and life, and adverse psychological problems. But they have different sub-themes. 61 articles on fear of childbirth interventions, including 8 mother-specific approaches and 4 identical approaches for parents, and all of these methods were effective in reducing the prevalence of parental fear of childbirth.
CONCLUSION
Factors such as marital status, personality, etc., that are specific to mothers can also be applied to paternal fear of childbirth. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and group discussion, which are unique to maternal fear of childbirth, may be attempted for paternal fear of childbirth. In addition, future research should be devoted to developing a specific measurement tool for fathers, studying paternal fear of childbirth in depth from various aspects.
Topics: Pregnancy; Male; Female; Humans; Parturition; Parents; Fathers; Mothers; Fear
PubMed: 37769587
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103830 -
Pediatric Research Dec 2023Maternal stress has negative consequences on infant behavioral development, and COVID-19 presented uniquely stressful situations to mothers of infants born during the...
BACKGROUND
Maternal stress has negative consequences on infant behavioral development, and COVID-19 presented uniquely stressful situations to mothers of infants born during the pandemic. We hypothesized that mothers with higher levels of perceived stress during the pandemic would report higher levels of infant regulatory problems including crying and interrupted sleep patterns.
METHODS
As part 6 sites of a longitudinal study, mothers of infants born during the pandemic completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire, and an Infant Crying survey at 6 (n = 433) and 12 (n = 344) months of infant age.
RESULTS
Maternal perceived stress, which remained consistent at 6 and 12 months of infant age, was significantly positively correlated with time taken to settle infants. Although maternal perceived stress was not correlated with uninterrupted sleep length, time taken to put the infant to sleep was correlated. Perceived stress was also correlated with the amount of infant crying and fussiness reported at 6 months.
CONCLUSIONS
Mothers who reported higher levels of perceived stress during the pandemic reported higher levels of regulatory problems, specifically at 6 months. Examining how varying levels of maternal stress and infant behaviors relate to overall infant developmental status over time is an important next step.
IMPACT
Women giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic who reported higher levels of stress on the Perceived Stress Scale also reported higher levels of infant fussiness and crying at 6 months old, and more disruptive sleep patterns in their infants at 6 months and 12 months old. Sleeping problems and excessive crying in infancy are two regulatory problems that are known risk factors for emotional and behavioral issues in later childhood. This paper is one of the first studies highlighting the associations between maternal stress and infant behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Child; Pandemics; Longitudinal Studies; Infant Behavior; COVID-19; Mothers; Crying; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 37500757
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02748-2 -
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Nov 2023The present study aims to explore the association of maternal sleep disturbances during late pregnancy on child neuropsychological and behavioral development in...
The present study aims to explore the association of maternal sleep disturbances during late pregnancy on child neuropsychological and behavioral development in preschool years. The study included 638 mother-child pairs from the prospective Rhea mother-child cohort in Crete, Greece. Information on antenatal sleep disturbances was collected through a computer-assisted interview. Children's neuropsychological and behavioral development was assessed using the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA), the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Test (ADHDT), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Multivariate analysis showed that maternal sleep duration less than 8 h was associated with reduced scores in the general cognitive scale (β = -2.28, 95% CI -4.54, -0.02, R = 0.417) and memory span (β = -3.24, 95% CI -5.72, -0.77, R = 0.304), while mild-severe daytime sleepiness was associated with reduced scores in the memory scale (β = -5.42, 95% CI -10.47, -0.37, R = 0.304), memory span (β = -5.44, 95% CI -10.68, -0.21, R = 0.304), nd functions of posterior cortex (β = -5.55, 95% CI -10.40, -0.70, R = 0.393) of MSCA. Snoring in late pregnancy was related to higher child hyperactivity scores in SDQ (β = 1.05, 95% CI 0.16, 1.95, R = 0.160). An interaction between child sex and maternal sleep duration in response to ADHD symptoms was also found (p for interaction < 0.05). Stratified analysis revealed increased hyperactivity, inattention, and ADHD total scores for girls of mothers with sleep duration less than 8 h. Maternal sleep disturbances during pregnancy may be associated with impaired child neuropsychological and behavioral development during the preschool years. Early detection and intervention is necessary to reduce sleep disturbances habits in pregnancy and improve child neurodevelopment.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Child, Preschool; Prospective Studies; Mothers; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Cognition; Sleep; Child Development
PubMed: 35927528
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02053-z -
Journal of Family Psychology : JFP :... Dec 2023Research over many decades has considered the crucial role of maternal psychological distress (e.g., depression, anxiety) for children's psychological adjustment...
Research over many decades has considered the crucial role of maternal psychological distress (e.g., depression, anxiety) for children's psychological adjustment (externalizing and internalizing problems), suggesting bidirectional influences over time. However, little is known about the extent to which household chaos (e.g., noise, disorganization, lack of calm) may mediate this mutual association, despite an understanding that chaos is a powerful stressor in the home. Conducting secondary data analysis in a large scale, prospective longitudinal study of families with children-the U.K.'s Millennium Cohort Study-we accounted for stability in both maternal psychological distress and children's internalizing and externalizing problems and examined the extent to which household chaos mediated the mutual association between maternal psychological distress and children's behaviors. Using what we term a mutual-mediation model, we found that both maternal psychological distress and children's adjustment problems predicted household chaos at Age 5, and in turn, that chaos predicted maternal psychological distress and child adjustment problems at Age 7. We found a dominance of children's externalizing problems in the prediction of household chaos, and all pathways were strongest for maternal psychological distress and externalizing problems compared to child internalizing problems. Our findings suggest that research would be well-minded to consider both child and parent effects on household chaos, as well as its mediation potential. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Female; Longitudinal Studies; Cohort Studies; Prospective Studies; Family; Psychological Distress; Mothers
PubMed: 37707462
DOI: 10.1037/fam0001143 -
Clinical Psychology Review Nov 2023There is a large evidence base supporting an important role of parenting behavior in influencing youth mental health; however, this literature often fails to capture the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
There is a large evidence base supporting an important role of parenting behavior in influencing youth mental health; however, this literature often fails to capture the potentially unique and interactive role of mothers and fathers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the role of maternal and paternal parenting behaviors in relation to child and adolescent internalizing problems. Following PRISMA (2020) guidelines, 88 studies were identified. Of these, 47 studies and upward of 65 parent-behavior and child-outcome combinations were examined. Findings indicated a unique role of maternal overprotection in the prediction of child anxiety symptoms. For other parenting behaviors, largely similar associations were found for maternal and paternal parenting behaviors with child and adolescent anxiety, depressive symptoms and broader internalizing problems. There was preliminary support for the interaction of maternal and paternal parenting being important in predicting youth symptoms. Although findings did not strongly substantiate differences in the effects of maternal and paternal parenting practices, with only one significant difference identified, further research would benefit from stronger representation of fathers, to enable a more rigorous and comprehensive understanding of each parent's role, and their interactive influence on internalizing outcomes of their children.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Parenting; Fathers; Mothers; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 37793269
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102339 -
Journal of Research on Adolescence :... Dec 2023The current study examined the idea that maternal involvement during the COVID-19 school closure period could contribute to the development of adolescents' daily...
The current study examined the idea that maternal involvement during the COVID-19 school closure period could contribute to the development of adolescents' daily routines, which could ultimately associate with their psychological and academic adjustment after return-to-school. Data were collected from 520 Chinese adolescents (M = 12.75 years, SD = 1.48 years) and their mothers during the COVID-19 school closure and one year after return-to-school. Results indicated that maternal involvement in both education and leisure activities predicted more consistent adolescents' daily routines during the school closure period and then contributed to their more consistent daily routines after return-to-school, resulting in less psychological maladjustment and better academic outcomes. Findings highlight the importance of maternal involvement and daily routines in the context of COVID-19.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adolescent; Child; Infant; Longitudinal Studies; COVID-19; Mothers; Schools; Organizations
PubMed: 37712872
DOI: 10.1111/jora.12885 -
Psychological Medicine Aug 2023Maternal suicide attempts are associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes in children, but the association with chronic morbidity is poorly understood. We examined the...
BACKGROUND
Maternal suicide attempts are associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes in children, but the association with chronic morbidity is poorly understood. We examined the relationship between maternal suicide attempt and risk of hospitalization for potentially preventable conditions in offspring.
METHODS
We analyzed a longitudinal cohort of 1 032 210 children born in Quebec, Canada between 2006 and 2019. The main exposure measure was maternal suicide attempt before or during pregnancy. Outcomes included child hospitalizations for potentially preventable conditions, including infectious diseases, dental caries, atopy, and injury up to 14 years after birth. We used adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of maternal suicide attempt with risk of hospitalization for these outcomes.
RESULTS
Compared with no suicide attempt, children whose mothers attempted suicide had an increased risk of hospitalization for infectious diseases (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.16), dental caries (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.15-1.48), and injury (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03-1.31). Risk of hospitalization for any of these outcomes was greater if mothers attempted suicide by hanging (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.22-1.75), had their first attempt between the age of 25 and 34 years (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13-1.42), and had 3 or more attempts (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.27-1.91). Maternal suicide attempts were more strongly associated with child hospitalization before 10 years of age.
CONCLUSIONS
Children whose mothers have a history of suicide attempt have an elevated risk of hospitalization for potentially preventable conditions.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Child; Humans; Adult; Suicide, Attempted; Dental Caries; Mothers; Child of Impaired Parents; Morbidity; Risk Factors; Hospitalization
PubMed: 35837688
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291722002094 -
European Journal of Pediatrics Aug 2023This review maps and summarizes the quantitative studies on the main outcomes associated with home visiting (HV) programs using Brazelton methods aimed at supporting... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
This review maps and summarizes the quantitative studies on the main outcomes associated with home visiting (HV) programs using Brazelton methods aimed at supporting expectant and new parents. One hundred thirty-seven records were identified, and 19 records were selected. The design of our study was based on the methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews. Quality was assessed through the Jadad scale. Studies were coded for participant characteristics (number, mean age, and risk status), methodology (recruitment, home visit frequency, age of the child, Brazelton method, and research design), and intervention outcomes (on infants, parents, and home visitors). The studies mostly focused on the impact of Brazelton HV programs on infant development, the mother's psychological well-being, mother-infant interaction, and home visitor satisfaction. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies consistently have shown that parents receiving the intervention have greater knowledge of their children. Results are less conclusive regarding the intervention's impact on other domains of child development, mothers' psychological well-being, and mothers' sensitivity to the relationship with the child. Overall, the results suggest that the improvements associated with the intervention are mainly influenced by the risk status of families. Further research is needed to better understand the benefits of HV based on the Brazelton approach and the target population that may benefit most from this intervention.
CONCLUSION
Although the impact of the Brazelton home visiting intervention is not yet fully understood, there is promising evidence of its positive effects on child development, maternal well-being, and parental knowledge. Further research with consistent methodologies and larger sample sizes is needed to strengthen our understanding. However, existing findings in the literature underscore the importance of preventive interventions such as the Brazelton program in improving family well-being, with potential long-term benefits.
WHAT IS KNOWN
• Home visiting programs based on the Brazelton approach aim to increase parents' knowledge and sensitivity to their children. • There is no clear picture in the literature of the effectiveness of these programs.
WHAT IS NEW
• Existing studies consistently show the effectiveness of these programs to improve parents' knowledge of their children. • Findings on the impact of these programs on child development, mothers' psychological well-being and sensitivity to their child are inconclusive and may be influenced by the risk status.
Topics: Infant; Child; Female; Humans; Mothers; Parents; Child Development; Mother-Child Relations; House Calls
PubMed: 37285070
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05048-3