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Risk and Protective Factors for Maternal and Paternal Mental Health during the Perinatal Period

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral and Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 6095

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sonia Mangialavori

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milano, Italy
Interests: perinatal affective disorders; mental health; parenting; interpersonal relationships
Dr. Michele Giannotti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Via Calepina, 14, 38122 Trento, Italy
Interests: perinatal psychological distress; fatherhood; attachment; parenting; child maltreatment; coparenting; at-risk families

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Perinatal maternal and paternal mental health has attracted increasing interest in recent times. Research has highlighted the impact of the transition to parenthood on the mental health of both parents, emphasizing how the affective states of the two partners are correlated throughout the perinatal period.

However, most studies to date have focused on maternal perinatal depression and limited attention has been given to paternal depression, despite its crucial impact on the wellbeing of mothers and offspring alike. Furthermore, little is known about other disorders that may occur in the perinatal period in both men and women (e.g., anxiety, somatic, etc.). Recent literature has shown the influence of specific individual, couple, child, and social factors on perinatal maternal and paternal mental health, suggesting the importance of considering this interplay among several domains.

This Special Issue aims to present the latest research in the field of maternal and paternal perinatal mental health. Original studies, reviews and meta-analyses on risk and protective factors for maternal and paternal mental health in different family contexts and the effectiveness and implementation of interventions, screening tools and programs, services for the diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mental disorders, and promotion of perinatal maternal and paternal mental health are welcome. Dyadic and/or longitudinal empirical studies on maternal and paternal mental health are of particular interest for this Special Issue.

Dr. Sonia Mangialavori
Dr. Michele Giannotti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • perinatal
  • mental health
  • maternal
  • paternal
  • transition to parenthood
  • screening
  • couple’s adjustment
  • depression
  • protective factors
  • risk factors

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 939 KiB  
Article
Parenting Stress Following a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization: A Longitudinal Study of Mothers and Fathers
by Corinna C. Klein and Nicole M. McDonald
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21080970 - 25 Jul 2024
Viewed by 172
Abstract
A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization can add significant stress to the postpartum period. Parents experience isolation and uncertainty, which can affect their capacity to bond with their new baby. Understanding how stress is shaped by and changes following a NICU experience [...] Read more.
A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization can add significant stress to the postpartum period. Parents experience isolation and uncertainty, which can affect their capacity to bond with their new baby. Understanding how stress is shaped by and changes following a NICU experience will help in developing supports for these families. We examined patterns of parenting stress over the first year of life following a NICU stay to better understand changes in stress, differences in maternal and paternal stress, and how medical and developmental variables impact parent stress. Parents of infants (n = 51) who had experienced a NICU hospitalization and met criteria for California’s High-Risk Infant Follow-Up program completed assessments at 6, 9, and 12 months. A comparison group (n = 38) from a historic dataset included parents of infants born full term without medical complications. NICU parents reported higher levels of parenting stress at 6 months, but not 12 months, with mothers and fathers reporting similar stress levels. Parenting-related stress was found to be relatively stable and consistent over this period. Among NICU parents, lower developmental level at 12 months was associated with more distress in interacting with their child. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring parenting stress following discharge from the NICU and developing interventions for supporting parents of NICU graduates showing developmental delays. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Protective Factors for Maternal and Paternal Mental Health during the Perinatal Period)
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11 pages, 500 KiB  
Article
Interplay of Dyadic Consensus, Reflective Functioning, and Perinatal Affective Difficulties in Modulating Fear of COVID-19 among First-Time Mothers: A Mediation Analysis
by Andrea Fontana, Sonia Mangialavori, Grazia Terrone, Lucrezia Trani, Eleonora Topino, Valeria Trincia, Giulia Lisi, Giuseppe Ducci and Marco Cacioppo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070848 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 495
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated fears and anxieties, potentially influencing maternal perinatal mental health. This study addresses a gap in the literature on fear of COVID-19 in pregnant women, aiming to identify contributing factors. Method: Participants were 401 primiparous women with an [...] Read more.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated fears and anxieties, potentially influencing maternal perinatal mental health. This study addresses a gap in the literature on fear of COVID-19 in pregnant women, aiming to identify contributing factors. Method: Participants were 401 primiparous women with an average age of 34 years (SD = 4.56) who were recruited through the National Health System during birth support courses. They completed a series of self-reported instruments via an online survey, providing information on their levels of reflective functioning, dyadic consensus, perinatal maternal affectivity, and fear of COVID-19. Pearson’s correlation and mediation analysis via a generalized linear model were implemented to analyze the collected data. Results: The relationship between dyadic consensus and fear of COVID-19 was significant and negative. Furthermore, a significant parallel mediation involving perinatal maternal affectivity and reflective functioning was found to the extent that, when these factors were inserted into the model, the direct association between dyadic consensus and fear of COVID-19 became non-significant (total mediation). Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of dyadic adjustment in alleviating maternal COVID-19 fear, emphasizing interventions promoting couple functioning, mentalization, and addressing affective difficulties. Such approaches are vital for supporting expecting mothers during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Protective Factors for Maternal and Paternal Mental Health during the Perinatal Period)
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13 pages, 804 KiB  
Article
Maternal Stress Mediates Association of Infant Socioemotional Development with Perinatal Mental Health in Socioeconomically Vulnerable Peruvian Settings
by Magaly Nóblega, Olenka Retiz, Juan Nuñez del Prado and Ramón Bartra
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070844 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 625
Abstract
Increased maternal mental health during the perinatal period has been widely associated with a variety of positive outcomes for both mothers and infants. However, no studies in Peru have yet focused on studying maternal mental health and related psychological variables during this stage. [...] Read more.
Increased maternal mental health during the perinatal period has been widely associated with a variety of positive outcomes for both mothers and infants. However, no studies in Peru have yet focused on studying maternal mental health and related psychological variables during this stage. Thus, the aim of this study was to test a model to associate a mother’s parental stress with infant socioemotional difficulties and maternal mental health. The sample included 988 mothers of infants aged 6 to 18 months from Peru, all from socioeconomically vulnerable settings. The findings showed that infant socioemotional difficulties were associated with poorer maternal mental health through the mother’s parental stress (χ2(7) = 28.89, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.03). These results provide a better understanding of the key elements associated with maternal mental health during the perinatal period in Peru and offer valuable insights for developing interventions and support strategies for socioeconomically vulnerable mothers and their young children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Protective Factors for Maternal and Paternal Mental Health during the Perinatal Period)
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17 pages, 1743 KiB  
Article
A Supported Online Resilience-Enhancing Intervention for Pregnant Women: A Non-Randomized Pilot Study
by Sarah Van Haeken, Marijke Anne Katrien Alberta Braeken, Anne Groenen and Annick Bogaerts
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020209 - 10 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1587
Abstract
A 28-week supported online intervention for pregnant women, informed by the Behavior Change Wheel Framework, was developed. The intervention included exercises, group sessions and a peer support platform. The aim of this study was to examine the potential effectiveness of the intervention in [...] Read more.
A 28-week supported online intervention for pregnant women, informed by the Behavior Change Wheel Framework, was developed. The intervention included exercises, group sessions and a peer support platform. The aim of this study was to examine the potential effectiveness of the intervention in enhancing resilience and promoting maternal mental health. Using a quasi-experimental design, assessments were conducted at baseline, postintervention and follow-ups at six and 12 months after childbirth. Resilience, resilience attributes, and maternal mental health were measured using standardised scales. The intervention group received the intervention (N = 70), while the control group (N = 32) received care-as-usual. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to determine within- and between-group changes. Results showed no significant differences between groups regarding resilience and maternal mental health. However, the intervention group demonstrated stable resilience (p = 0.320) compared to a significant decrease in the control group (p = 0.004). Within the intervention group, perceived social support remained stable during the intervention, but decreased significantly at the first follow-up (p = 0.012). All participants faced additional stress from the COVID-19 pandemic alongside the challenges of parenthood. This study contributes to maternal mental health literature with an innovative, supported online intervention. The intervention consists of different deployable components, designed to be offered online, and the current pilot data are promising. Further research is warranted to explore its full potential in clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Protective Factors for Maternal and Paternal Mental Health during the Perinatal Period)
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15 pages, 390 KiB  
Article
Psychological Characteristics of Women with Perinatal Depression Who Require Psychiatric Support during Pregnancy or Postpartum: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Grazia Terrone, Emanuela Bianciardi, Andrea Fontana, Carolina Pinci, Giulia Castellani, Irene Sferra, Anna Forastiere, Mattia Merlo, Elicio Marinucci, Fiamma Rinaldi, Marina Falanga, Daniela Pucci, Alberto Siracusano and Cinzia Niolu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5508; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085508 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2229
Abstract
Antenatal depression may be distinct from postpartum depression in terms of prevalence, severity of symptoms, comorbidities, prognosis, and risk factors. Although risk factors for perinatal depression have been identified, it is unclear whether there are differences in the onset of perinatal depression (PND). [...] Read more.
Antenatal depression may be distinct from postpartum depression in terms of prevalence, severity of symptoms, comorbidities, prognosis, and risk factors. Although risk factors for perinatal depression have been identified, it is unclear whether there are differences in the onset of perinatal depression (PND). This study explored the characteristics of women requiring mental health support during pregnancy or postpartum. A sample of 170 women (58% in pregnancy; 42% postpartum) who contacted the SOS-MAMMA outpatient clinic was recruited. Clinical data sheets and self-report questionnaires (EPDS, LTE-Q, BIG FIVE; ECR; BSQ; STICSA) were administered, hypothesizing possible risk factors, such as personality traits, stressful life events, body dissatisfaction, attachment style, and anxiety. Hierarchical regression models were carried out in the pregnancy (F10;36 = 8.075, p < 0.001, adjR2 = 0.877) and postpartum groups (F10;38 = 3.082, p < 0.05, adjR2 = 0.809). Recent stressful life events and conscientiousness were associated with depression in both the pregnant (29.3%, 25.5% of variance) and postpartum groups (23.8%, 20.7% of variance). In pregnant women, “openness” (11.6%), body dissatisfaction (10.2%), and anxiety (7.1%) symptoms were predictive of depression. In the postpartum group, “neuroticism” (13.8%) and insecure romantic attachment dimensions (13.4%; 9.2%) were the strongest predictors. Perinatal psychological interventions should consider the differences between mothers with depression during pregnancy and postpartum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk and Protective Factors for Maternal and Paternal Mental Health during the Perinatal Period)
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