Abstract
This study examined the associations between perceived parental care and control in childhood and maternal anxiety, depression
and parenting stress during the transition to parenthood. Eighty-eight women completed the Parental Bonding Instrument, self-report
measures of anxiety and depression and a structured diagnostic interview (Mini-plus International Neuropsychiatric Interview)
during the third trimester of pregnancy. The MINI-Plus and anxiety and depression measures were re-administered at 7 months
postpartum. The Parenting Stress Index was also administered at this time. Significant associations were found between maternal
‘affectionless control’ and prenatal and postnatal symptom measures of anxiety and depression, p values <0.005. Compared to women who reported optimal parenting, women who recalled maternal ‘affectionless control’ were
also six times more likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder during pregnancy (OR = 6.1, 95 % CI = 2.17–30.11) and
seven times more likely to be diagnosed with postnatal major depression (OR = 6.8, 95 % CI = 1.80–25.37). Paternal ‘affectionless
control’ was associated with significantly higher scores on symptom measures of prenatal and postnatal anxiety, p values <0.005. This study suggests that assessing a woman’s own parenting history is important in identifying and managing
the risk of prenatal and postnatal affective disorders and parenting stress.
and parenting stress during the transition to parenthood. Eighty-eight women completed the Parental Bonding Instrument, self-report
measures of anxiety and depression and a structured diagnostic interview (Mini-plus International Neuropsychiatric Interview)
during the third trimester of pregnancy. The MINI-Plus and anxiety and depression measures were re-administered at 7 months
postpartum. The Parenting Stress Index was also administered at this time. Significant associations were found between maternal
‘affectionless control’ and prenatal and postnatal symptom measures of anxiety and depression, p values <0.005. Compared to women who reported optimal parenting, women who recalled maternal ‘affectionless control’ were
also six times more likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder during pregnancy (OR = 6.1, 95 % CI = 2.17–30.11) and
seven times more likely to be diagnosed with postnatal major depression (OR = 6.8, 95 % CI = 1.80–25.37). Paternal ‘affectionless
control’ was associated with significantly higher scores on symptom measures of prenatal and postnatal anxiety, p values <0.005. This study suggests that assessing a woman’s own parenting history is important in identifying and managing
the risk of prenatal and postnatal affective disorders and parenting stress.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s00737-012-0292-0
- Authors
- Kerry-Ann Grant, Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Alison Bautovich, Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Royal Hospital for Women and Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Catherine McMahon, Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Nicole Reilly, Perinatal and Women’s Mental Health Unit, St John of God Hospital Burwood, Burwood, NSW, Australia
- Leo Leader, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Marie-Paule Austin, Perinatal and Women’s Mental Health Unit, St John of God Hospital Burwood, Burwood, NSW, Australia
- Journal Archives of Women’s Mental Health
- Online ISSN 1435-1102
- Print ISSN 1434-1816