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01-04-2015 | Review Article

Raising multiples: mental health of mothers and fathers in early parenthood

Authors: Susan J. Wenze, Cynthia L. Battle, Katherine M. Tezanos

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 2/2015

Abstract

The rate of twin and higher-order gestation births has risen dramatically in recent decades in the United States as well as other Western countries. Although the obstetrical and neonatal risks of multiple gestation pregnancies are well-documented, much less is known regarding the mental health impact on parents of multiples during the perinatal and early parenthood period. Given that parents of multiples face greater functional demands, as well as other pressures (financial, medical) this population may be at risk for heightened distress. We conducted a systematic review of quantitative, English language studies that assessed mental health outcomes of parents of multiples during pregnancy, in the first postpartum year, and in the period of early parenthood, including depression, anxiety, stress, and related constructs. Twenty-seven articles published between 1989 and 2014 met selection criteria and were included in the review. Studies utilized a wide range of methods and outcome constructs, often making comparisons difficult. Although some studies found no differences, most investigations that compared mental health outcomes in parents of multiples versus parents of singletons found that parents of multiples experience heightened symptoms of depression, anxiety, and parenting stress. We discuss gaps in the existing body of literature on parental mental health related to multiple gestation birth and conclude by discussing the need for novel intervention strategies to meet the needs of this growing population. Parents of multiples may experience worse mental health outcomes than parents of singletons. More research is needed, and future work should explore potential treatment and support options.

A few studies included only one symptom assessment, at widely varying time points, that spanned our definition of postpartum and early parenthood periods. We classified these studies based on the average number of months post-birth of included participants (i.e., Colpin et al. 1999, 10–13 months, “postpartum”; Ellison et al. 2005, 1–4 years, “early parenthood”; Munro et al. 1990, 6 months to 5 years 8 months, “early parenthood”; Roca-de Bes et al. 2011, 6 months to 4 years postpartum, “early parenthood”).

A fifth study combined antenatal and postpartum assessments, thus precluding the ability to draw conclusions about the antenatal period specifically (Hay et al. 1990). The authors found that mothers of twins had more symptoms of anxiety and depression in the perinatal period than mothers of singletons.

Of note, however, Munro et al. (1990) found that parents of twins conceived naturally or via IVF reported more psychiatric distress than parents of twins conceived after an infertility workup without IVF.

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Title: Raising multiples: mental health of mothers and fathers in early parenthood
Authors: Susan J. Wenze
Cynthia L. Battle
Katherine M. Tezanos
Publication date: 01-04-2015
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-014-0484-x

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Raising multiples: mental health of mothers and fathers in early parenthood

Abstract

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Abstract

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