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01-08-2019 | Original Article

Maternal and paternal depression and anxiety: their relationship with mother-infant interactions at 3 months

Authors: Elena Ierardi, Valentino Ferro, Annamaria Trovato, Renata Tambelli, Cristina Riva Crugnola

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 4/2019

Abstract

While there have been studies on the effects of maternal depression and anxiety on mother-infant styles of interaction in infancy, there have been no studies on the effects of paternal depression and anxiety or on the joint effects of maternal and paternal depression and anxiety on mother-infant styles of interaction. The aims of the study were to examine the associations between maternal depression and anxiety and paternal depression and anxiety and to examine the relationship between maternal and paternal depression and anxiety and mother-infant styles of interaction at infant 3 months. Seventy mother and father couples were administered the EPDS for depression and the STAI-Y for anxiety and mother-infant interactions were video-recorded and coded with the CARE-INDEX. Analyses with Pearson correlation indicated an association between maternal depression and paternal anxiety and between maternal anxiety with paternal depression and anxiety. Moreover maternal and paternal depression and anxiety were found to be associated with the quality of maternal style of interaction. Maternal sensitive style was negatively associated with maternal depression and state anxiety. Maternal unresponsive style was positively associated with both paternal depression and state and trait anxiety. Multiple regression analysis has shown that maternal state anxiety was a greater predictor of a lower level of maternal sensitivity than maternal depression.

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Title: Maternal and paternal depression and anxiety: their relationship with mother-infant interactions at 3 months
Authors: Elena Ierardi
Valentino Ferro
Annamaria Trovato
Renata Tambelli
Cristina Riva Crugnola
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0919-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Maternal and paternal depression and anxiety: their relationship with mother-infant interactions at 3 months

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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