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Archives of Women's Mental Health Aug 2023Maternal psychological distress and mother-infant bonding problems each predict poorer offspring outcomes. They are also related to each other, yet the extensive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Maternal psychological distress and mother-infant bonding problems each predict poorer offspring outcomes. They are also related to each other, yet the extensive literature reporting their association has not been meta-analysed.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, ProQuest DTG, and OATD for English-language peer-reviewed and grey literature reporting an association between mother-infant bonding, and multiple indicators of maternal psychological distress.
RESULTS
We included 133 studies representing 118 samples; 99 samples (110,968 mothers) were eligible for meta-analysis. Results showed concurrent associations across a range of timepoints during the first year postpartum, between bonding problems and depression (r = .27 [95% CI 0.20, 0.35] to r = .47 [95% CI 0.41, 0.53]), anxiety (r = .27 [95% CI 0.24, 0.31] to r = .39 [95% CI 0.15, 0.59]), and stress (r = .46 [95% CI 0.40, 0.52]). Associations between antenatal distress and subsequent postpartum bonding problems were mostly weaker and with wider confidence intervals: depression (r = .20 [95% CI 0.14, 0.50] to r = .25 [95% CI 0.64, 0.85]), anxiety (r = .16 [95% CI 0.10, 0.22]), and stress (r = .15 [95% CI - 0.67, 0.80]). Pre-conception depression and anxiety were associated with postpartum bonding problems (r = - 0.17 [95% CI - 0.22, - 0.11]).
CONCLUSION
Maternal psychological distress is associated with postpartum mother-infant bonding problems. Co-occurrence of psychological distress and bonding problems is common, but should not be assumed. There may be benefit in augmenting existing perinatal screening programs with well-validated mother-infant bonding measures.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Infant; Humans; Mothers; Mother-Child Relations; Postpartum Period; Parturition; Anxiety; Obstetric Labor Complications; Object Attachment; Depression, Postpartum
PubMed: 37316760
DOI: 10.1007/s00737-023-01332-1 -
Archives of Women's Mental Health Feb 2018Timing of cortisol collection during pregnancy is an important factor within studies reporting on the association between maternal cortisol and depression during... (Review)
Review
Timing of cortisol collection during pregnancy is an important factor within studies reporting on the association between maternal cortisol and depression during pregnancy. Our objective was to further examine the extent to which reported associations differed across studies according to time of maternal cortisol collection during pregnancy. On December 15, 2016, records were identified using PubMed/MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine), EMBASE (Elsevier; 1974-), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL, EBSCO), PsycINFO (EBSCO), and Web of Science Core Collection (Thomson Reuters). Unique abstracts were screened using the following inclusion criteria: (1) maternal cortisol assessed during pregnancy; (2) antepartum depression assessed during pregnancy using a screening instrument; (3) reports on the association between maternal cortisol and antepartum depression; (4) provides information on timing of cortisol assessment during pregnancy, including time of day and gestation; and (5) not a review article or a case study. One thousand three hundred seventy-five records were identified, resulting in 826 unique abstracts. Twenty-nine articles met all inclusion criteria. On balance, most studies reported no association between maternal cortisol and antepartum depression (N = 17), and saliva and blood were the most common reported matrices. Morning and second and third trimesters were the most common times of collection during pregnancy. Among studies reporting an association (N = 12), second-trimester and third-trimester cortisol assessments more consistently reported an association and elevated cortisol concentrations were observed in expected recovery periods. Our review adds to the existing literature on the topic, highlighting gaps and strategic next steps.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Depression; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Middle Aged; Mothers; Pregnancy; Saliva; Young Adult
PubMed: 28942465
DOI: 10.1007/s00737-017-0777-y -
Journal of Affective Disorders Dec 2021Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that maternal anxiety relates to overprotection, yet studies have found conflicting evidence. The literature would benefit... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that maternal anxiety relates to overprotection, yet studies have found conflicting evidence. The literature would benefit from a systematic review.
METHODS
In April 2020, a systematic review on the relation between maternal anxiety and overprotection was conducted. The search was updated in January 2021. A total of 13 articles were included.
RESULTS
Of 16 reported bivariate correlations, 12 showed that maternal anxiety accounted for significant variance in overprotection (7 reported a small effect and 5 reported a medium effect). In a group differences study, mothers with anxiety showed greater overprotection. Additionally, in 4 out of 7 multivariate relations maternal anxiety accounted for significant variance in overprotection over and above other factors while 3 suggested that maternal anxiety did not account for significant variance in overprotection. In a multivariate, longitudinal study, maternal anxiety predicted overprotection, over and above other factors. Given conflicting evidence, we evaluated article's methodological strength and found stronger evidence supporting a small to medium size relation compared to evidence supporting no significant relation.
LIMITATIONS
We report ranges of coefficients and effect sizes, but meta-analytic results are needed to determine the magnitude of these relations based on various factors. More longitudinal studies are needed to determine directionality.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the literature shows conflicting results, the present review supports that maternal anxiety relates to overprotection, though the effect of this relation is small to medium. It may be beneficial to incorporate mental health for parents into existing parenting interventions.
Topics: Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Mothers; Parenting
PubMed: 34509069
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.065 -
International Breastfeeding Journal Aug 2020Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended for the first six months of age by the World Health Organization. Mothers' good knowledge and positive attitude play key... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended for the first six months of age by the World Health Organization. Mothers' good knowledge and positive attitude play key roles in the process of exclusive breastfeeding practices. In this study, we report on a systematic review of the literature that aimed to examine the status of mothers' knowledge, attitude, and practices related to exclusive breastfeeding in East Africa, so as to provide clues on what can be done to improve exclusive breastfeeding.
METHODS
A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature was performed. The search for literature was conducted utilizing six electronic databases, Pub med, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase, Science Direct, and Cochrane library, for studies published in English from January 2000 to June 2019 and conducted in East Africa. Studies focused on mothers' knowledge, attitudes, or practices related to exclusive breastfeeding. All papers were reviewed using a predesigned data extraction form.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies were included in the review. This review indicates that almost 96.2% of mothers had ever heard about EBF, 84.4% were aware of EBF, and 49.2% knew that the duration of EBF was the first six months only. In addition, 42.1% of mothers disagreed and 24.0% strongly disagreed that giving breast milk for a newborn immediately and within an hour is important, and 47.9% disagreed that discarding the colostrum is important. However, 42.0% of mothers preferred to feed their babies for the first six months breast milk alone. In contrast, 55.9% of them had practiced exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months.
CONCLUSIONS
Exclusively breastfeeding among our sample is suboptimal, compared to the current WHO recommendations. Thus, it is important to provide antenatal and early postpartum education and periodical breastfeeding counseling, to improve maternal attitudes and knowledge toward breastfeeding practices.
Topics: Adult; Africa, Eastern; Breast Feeding; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Mothers; Pregnancy; Young Adult
PubMed: 32795377
DOI: 10.1186/s13006-020-00313-9 -
Journal of Global Health Jun 2016Kangaroo mother care (KMC), often defined as skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her newborn, frequent or exclusive breastfeeding, and early discharge from the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Kangaroo mother care (KMC), often defined as skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her newborn, frequent or exclusive breastfeeding, and early discharge from the hospital has been effective in reducing the risk of mortality among preterm and low birth weight infants. Research studies and program implementation of KMC have used various definitions.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the current definitions of KMC in various settings, analyze the presence or absence of KMC components in each definition, and present a core definition of KMC based on common components that are present in KMC literature.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the World Health Organization Regional Databases for studies with key words "kangaroo mother care", "kangaroo care" or "skin to skin care" from 1 January 1960 to 24 April 2014. Two independent reviewers screened articles and abstracted data.
FINDINGS
We screened 1035 articles and reports; 299 contained data on KMC and neonatal outcomes or qualitative information on KMC implementation. Eighty-eight of the studies (29%) did not define KMC. Two hundred and eleven studies (71%) included skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in their KMC definition, 49 (16%) included exclusive or nearly exclusive breastfeeding, 22 (7%) included early discharge criteria, and 36 (12%) included follow-up after discharge. One hundred and sixty-seven studies (56%) described the duration of SSC.
CONCLUSIONS
There exists significant heterogeneity in the definition of KMC. A large number of studies did not report definitions of KMC. Skin-to-skin contact is the core component of KMC, whereas components such as breastfeeding, early discharge, and follow-up care are context specific. To implement KMC effectively development of a global standardized definition of KMC is needed.
Topics: Adult; Attitude to Health; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Kangaroo-Mother Care Method; Mothers; Physical Stimulation
PubMed: 27231546
DOI: 10.7189/jogh.06.010701 -
Journal of Public Health (Oxford,... Sep 2016Maternal obesity is emerging as a public health problem, recently highlighted together with maternal under-nutrition as a 'double burden', especially in African... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Maternal obesity is emerging as a public health problem, recently highlighted together with maternal under-nutrition as a 'double burden', especially in African countries undergoing social and economic transition. This systematic review was conducted to investigate the current evidence on maternal obesity in Africa.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched (up to August 2014) and identified 29 studies. Prevalence, associations with socio-demographic factors, labour, child and maternal consequences of maternal obesity were assessed. Pooled risk ratios comparing obese and non-obese groups were calculated.
RESULTS
Prevalence of maternal obesity across Africa ranged from 6.5 to 50.7%, with older and multiparous mothers more likely to be obese. Obese mothers had increased risks of adverse labour, child and maternal outcomes. However, non-obese mothers were more likely to have low-birthweight babies. The differences in measurement and timing of assessment of maternal obesity were found across studies. No studies were identified either on the knowledge or attitudes of pregnant women towards maternal obesity; or on interventions for obese pregnant women.
CONCLUSIONS
These results show that Africa's levels of maternal obesity are already having significant adverse effects. Culturally adaptable/sensitive interventions should be developed while monitoring to avoid undesired side effects.
Topics: Africa; Age Factors; Female; Humans; Mothers; Obesity; Parity; Prevalence; Risk Factors
PubMed: 26487702
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdv138 -
International Review of Psychiatry... Feb 2015Autism (AUT) is one of the most prevalent developmental disorders emerging during childhood, and can be amongst the most incapacitating mental disorders. Some... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Autism (AUT) is one of the most prevalent developmental disorders emerging during childhood, and can be amongst the most incapacitating mental disorders. Some individuals with AUT require a lifetime of supervised care. Autism Speaks reported estimated costs for 2012 at £34 billion in the UK; and $3.2 million-$126 billion in the US, Australia and Canada. Ethnicity and migration experiences appear to increase risks of AUT and relate to underlying biological risk factors. Sociobiological stress factors can affect the uterine environment, or relate to stress-induced epigenetic changes during pregnancy and delivery. Epigenetic risk factors associated with AUT also include poor pregnancy conditions, low birth weight, and congenital malformation. Recent studies report that children from migrant communities are at higher risk of AUT than children born to non-migrant mothers, with the exception of Hispanic children. This paper provides the first systematic review into prevalence and predictors of AUT with a particular focus on maternal migration stressors and epigenetic risk factors. AUT rates appear higher in certain migrant communities, potentially relating to epigenetic changes after stressful experiences. Although AUT remains a rare disorder, failures to recognize its public health urgency and local community needs continue to leave certain cultural groups at a disadvantage.
Topics: Adult; Autistic Disorder; Child; Emigrants and Immigrants; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Mothers
PubMed: 25738316
DOI: 10.3109/09540261.2014.995601 -
Midwifery Mar 2023The decision to breastfeed is influenced by physiological, psychological, and emotional factors. However, the importance of equipping mothers with the necessary... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The decision to breastfeed is influenced by physiological, psychological, and emotional factors. However, the importance of equipping mothers with the necessary knowledge for successful breastfeeding practice cannot be ruled out. Studies suggest that the decline in global breastfeeding rate can be linked to lack of adequate breastfeeding education during prenatal stage. Therefore, this review aims to determine the effectiveness of prenatal breastfeeding education on breastfeeding uptake postpartum.
METHOD
A systematic review of the studies identified by electronic database search (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, Psych INFO, and Sociological Abstracts and Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA) published between 2014 - 2021.
RESULTS
A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results showed an increase in breastfeeding uptake, breastfeeding knowledge, increase in positive attitude to breastfeeding and an increase in maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy among mothers who participated in breastfeeding educational programs during prenatal care.
CONCLUSION
Prenatal breastfeeding education increases women's knowledge of breastfeeding. Mothers who are knowledgeable about breastfeeding and hold a positive approach towards breastfeeding have the tendency to initiate breastfeeding and continue for a lengthened period. Findings demonstrates a general correlation between prenatal breastfeeding education and increased breastfeeding uptake postpartum. The high level of positive breastfeeding outcome inherent in all the studies can be attributed to prenatal breastfeeding education.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Breast Feeding; Mothers; Prenatal Care; Postpartum Period; Prenatal Education
PubMed: 36580847
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2022.103579 -
Pediatrics Sep 2021A growing body of research has examined the role of maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on child behavior problems. (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
A growing body of research has examined the role of maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on child behavior problems.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the literature examining the association between maternal ACEs and child behavior problems via a systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
Electronic searches were conducted in Medline, PsycINFO, and Embase (1998-June 2020). Reference lists were reviewed. In total, 3048 records were screened.
STUDY SELECTION
Studies were included if an association between maternal ACEs and child externalizing (eg, aggression) and/or internalizing (eg, anxiety) problems was reported. In total, 139 full-text articles were reviewed for inclusion.
DATA EXTRACTION
Data from 16 studies met full inclusion criteria. Studies were synthesized by child externalizing and internalizing outcomes.
RESULTS
Maternal ACEs were significantly associated with child externalizing problems across all studies (number of studies synthesized per outcome [] = 11). Significant associations were also found for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity ( = 4), and aggression ( = 2). For internalizing problems ( = 11), significant associations were identified across 8 studies and nonsignificant associations were reported for 3 studies. Maternal ACEs were consistently associated with child anxiety and depression ( = 5). However, inconsistent findings were reported for somatization ( = 2).
LIMITATIONS
Results are limited to mother-child dyads and questionnaire measures of behavior problems in primarily North American countries.
CONCLUSIONS
Mothers' ACEs demonstrated largely consistent associations with children's behavior problems. Future research is needed to determine if specific types of maternal ACEs (eg, household dysfunction) are more strongly associated with child behavior problems.
Topics: Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Aggression; Anxiety; Child; Child Behavior Disorders; Depression; Female; Humans; Mothers; Somatoform Disorders
PubMed: 34413250
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-044131 -
Trauma, Violence & Abuse Apr 2023Adverse childhood experiences negatively impact future violence, victimization, perpetration, health, and lifelong development. The aim of the present study was to... (Review)
Review
Adverse childhood experiences negatively impact future violence, victimization, perpetration, health, and lifelong development. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the scientific evidence of empirical studies on the association between maternal childhood adversity in a familial context, including maltreatment, household challenges, and later maternal negative parenting. A search was performed in the PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO, and LILACS databases, using the combination of the following keywords: (neglect OR abuse OR maltreatment OR harsh parenting OR punishment OR discipline OR negative parenting practices) AND (adverse childhood experiences OR early adversity OR cycle of violence OR cycle of maltreatment OR history of maltreatment) AND (mother OR maternal). The results of 29 studies showed predominantly significant direct associations between maternal childhood adversities and negative parenting with their children (83%). Parental stress was also significantly associated with a maternal history of childhood adversities. Focusing on the type of maltreatment practices, there were similar intergenerational transmission types: homotypic and heterotypic. Few studies have examined the protective factors that could buffer the negative impact of a maternal childhood history of adversities on later negative parenting.
Topics: Female; Child; Humans; Parenting; Child Abuse; Violence; Mothers; Parents
PubMed: 34342253
DOI: 10.1177/15248380211036076