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About this paper symposium
| Panel information |
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| Panel 9. Family Context & Processes |
| Paper #1 | |
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| Exploring the Effects of a Maternal Prenatal Depression Intervention on Fathers’ Postpartum Mental Health | |
| Author information | Role |
| Sarah G. Curci, PhD, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Psychiatry/University of Denver, Department of Psychology, United States | Presenting author |
| Erin Todd, BS, University of Denver, Department of Psychology, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Angela J. Narayan, PhD, University of Denver, Department of Psychology, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Robert Gallop, PhD, West Chester University, Department of Mathematisc, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Benjamin L. Hankin, PhD, University of Denver, Department of Psychology, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Elysia Poggi Davis, PhD, University of Denver, Department of Psychology, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Abstract | |
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Introduction: Approximately 1 in 10 fathers experience postpartum depressive symptoms (Paulson et al., 2016). Maternal and paternal depressive symptoms during the perinatal period are highly comorbid (Goodman, 2008; Paulson et al., 2016); therefore, improvements in maternal depressive symptoms may benefit fathers. Longitudinal studies suggest within-person deviations in maternal depressive symptoms predict within-person deviations in paternal depressive symptoms (Clifford et al., 2024), however it remains unclear whether maternal depression interventions improve paternal mental health. This study evaluated whether a prenatal interpersonal relationship-based intervention to reduce mothers’ depression symptoms also: (1) decreased fathers’ postpartum depressive symptoms and (2) influenced fathers’ perceptions of their partners’ postpartum depressive symptoms. Hypotheses: Fathers whose partners participated in the intervention were hypothesized to report fewer postpartum depressive symptoms and perceive fewer symptoms in their partners. Method: Eight-five fathers (Table 1) were recruited from a larger sample of pregnant individuals participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing a brief, prenatal interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) intervention targeting depressive symptoms to enhanced usual care. Women provided contact information for their baby’s father, who was invited to participate in prenatal and postpartum surveys. Data for current analyses included maternal report of prenatal depressive symptoms (baseline, 22, 26, 30, and 36 weeks gestation), father report of depressive symptoms prenatally and postpartum, and father report of maternal depressive symptoms prenatally and postpartum using the gold-standard Edinburgh Prenatal Depression Scale (Cox et al., 1987). Results: Primary analyses were conducted in MPlus v.8 using structural equation modeling (Figure 1). Mothers randomized to IPT reported greater reductions in depressive symptoms throughout pregnancy (β = -.277, p < .001), and higher levels of maternal prenatal baseline depressive symptoms were associated with greater reductions in depressive symptoms during pregnancy (β = -.542, p < .001). However, maternal participation in IPT did not predict fathers’ postpartum depressive symptoms (p = .36) or fathers’ report of maternal postpartum depressive symptoms (p = .98). Fathers’ prenatal depressive symptoms were positively associated with maternal prenatal baseline depressive symptoms (β = .219, p = .020) and fathers’ reports of maternal prenatal depressive symptoms (β = .416, p < .001). Higher levels of paternal prenatal depressive symptoms predicted higher levels of paternal postpartum depressive symptoms (β = .618, p < .001). Similarly, fathers who reported higher levels of prenatal maternal depressive symptoms also reported higher levels of postpartum maternal depressive symptoms (β = .458, p < .001). Finally, higher levels of paternal postpartum depressive symptoms were concurrently associated with fathers’ reports of maternal depressive symptoms (β = .546, p < .001). Discussion: Results support a family systems approach to perinatal intervention. Although maternal IPT effectively reduced prenatal maternal depressive symptoms, its impact did not extend to paternal depressive symptoms. Notably, fathers’ perceptions of their partners’ mental health symptoms were more strongly associated with fathers' own depressive symptoms than with mothers’ self-reported symptoms. Within couples, individuals’ depressive symptoms may influence how they perceive their partners’ mental health. Fathers’ awareness of their partners’ struggles may increase fathers' risk for depressive symptoms both prenatally and postpartum, underscoring the need for perinatal interventions that address both parents’ mental health. |
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| Paper #2 | |
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| Trajectories of paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms and child’s socio-emotional development in early childhood | |
| Author information | Role |
| Katja Tervahartiala, 1. Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Turku, Assistentinkatu 7, 20014 Turku, Finland; 2. Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Mattilanniemi 6, 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland; 3. Centre of Excellence in Learning Dynamics and Intervention Research (InterLearn), University of Jyväskylä and University of Turku, Mattilanniemi 6, 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland; 4. FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; 7. Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland, Finland | Presenting author |
| Eeva-Leena Kataja, 4. FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; 7. Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland, Finland | Non-presenting author |
| Noora Scheinin, 4. FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; 7. Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; 9. Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Satakunta Wellbeing Services County, Sairaalantie 3, 28500 Pori, Finland, Finland | Non-presenting author |
| Saara Nolvi, 1. Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Turku, Assistentinkatu 7, 20014 Turku, Finland; 3. Centre of Excellence in Learning Dynamics and Intervention Research (InterLearn), University of Jyväskylä and University of Turku, Mattilanniemi 6, 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland; 4. FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; 7. Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland, Finland | Non-presenting author |
| Hasse Karlsson, 4. FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; 5. Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520 Turku, Finland; 7. Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland, Finland | Non-presenting author |
| Linnea Karlsson, 4. FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; 6. Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Savitehtaankatu 5, 20520 Turku, Finland; 7. Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; 8. Department of Clinical Medicine, Unit of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Savitehtaankatu 5, 20520 Turku, Finland, Finland | Non-presenting author |
| Riikka Korja, 1. Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Turku, Assistentinkatu 7, 20014 Turku, Finland; 3. Centre of Excellence in Learning Dynamics and Intervention Research (InterLearn), University of Jyväskylä and University of Turku, Mattilanniemi 6, 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland; 4. FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; 7. Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland, Finland | Non-presenting author |
| Abstract | |
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Parental symptoms of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and early postnatal years are suggested to have differential negative effects on a child’s socio-emotional development, depending on the characteristics of the symptoms, such as timing, intensity, and persistence. However, previous studies have primarily focused on maternal symptoms, with the effects of paternal symptoms on child development being less frequently studied. Aims of the Study: The aim of this study was to identify trajectories of paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms from pregnancy until two years postpartum and to examine their relationship with child socio-emotional problems and competence at 2, 4, and 5 years of age. Additionally, the moderating roles of maternal symptoms and marital satisfaction of the parents were examined. Methods: The participants were drawn from the ongoing FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study (N=3808). This study included 1200 father-infant dyads. Latent Growth Mixture Modeling (LGMM) will be utilized to model the trajectories of paternal depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and anxiety symptoms using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) at 14, 24, and 34 weeks of pregnancy, and at 3, 6, and 24 months postpartum. Paternal depression was also assessed at 12 months postpartum. Child socio-emotional problems and competence were evaluated using the Brief Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (BITSEA) at 2 years, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at 4 and 5 years, and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) at 5 years. Maternal and paternal marital satisfaction was measured by the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS) during pregnancy, infancy, and toddlerhood. Relevant background factors and paternal concurrent symptomatology will be controlled for in the analyses. Results and Discussion: For preliminary analyses a mean sum score of EPDS and SCL total scores from pregnancy assessments (14th, 24th and 34th gestational weeks) and from postnatal assessments (3, 6, 12 and 24 months) were formed. Bivariate correlations showed that paternal prenatal and postnatal anxiety and depressive symptoms correlated with father-reported child socio-emotional symptoms at 2 years and at 4 years (See Table 1.). Additionally, paternal prenatal anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms postnatally and at 5 years correlated with total score of child socio-emotional symptoms as well as with child’s externalizing symptoms at 5 years. In addition, postnatal anxiety and anxiety and depresson at 5 years correlated with child’s internalizing symptoms at 5 years. Next, the trajectories of paternal pre- and postnatal depressive and anxiety symptoms across pregnancy and at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum (for depressive symptoms only), and at 2 years postpartum, will be modeled using Latent Growth Mixture Modeling. Trajectories of maternal symptoms in this same cohort study have been reported earlier (Korja et al., 2024). Paternal trajectories will be studied in relation to child socio-emotional outcomes at 2, 4, and 5 years. The effect of paternal current symptom levels, maternal symptoms, and crucial background factors will also be considered. These findings will be presented and discussed in the symposium. |
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| Paper #3 | |
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| Risky Family Environments, Prenatal White Matter Organization, and Effective Parenting in First-time Fathers | |
| Author information | Role |
| Sofia I. Cárdenas, MA, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, United States | Presenting author |
| Van Truong, MS, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Genesis Flores, MA, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Fang-Cheng Yeh, PhD, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Darby E. Saxbe, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Vidya Rajagopalan, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Abstract | |
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INTRODUCTION Men’s childhood exposure to risky family environments may shape their transition to fatherhood (Alyousefi-van Dijk et al., 2020; Condon et al., 2023). Early life stressors (e.g., adverse childhood experiences) affect white matter organization, impacting cognitive and emotional processing (Cohodes et al., 2020; McCarthy-Jones et al., 2018). Few studies focus on milder early life stressors, such as those found in risky family environments. Characteristics of risky family environments include cold, conflictual, and chaotic relationships (Repetti et al., 2002). The current study investigated whether risky family environments would be associated with prenatal white matter (WM) organization and postpartum parenting. HYPOTHESES H1: We predicted that greater exposure to risky family environments would be associated with weaker WM organization. H2: We expected that lower measures of WM organization would be associated with less effective postpartum parenting. STUDY POPULATION Study population included first-time fathers (n = 41; Mage = 31.8 years) enrolled in a larger longitudinal study examining opposite-sex couples' transition to parenthood. Fathers were racially diverse (Hispanic [32%]; White [32%]; Asian [24%]; Black [7%]; Multiracial [5%]). METHODS H1: Expectant fathers reported on their experiences of risky family environments using the Risky Families Questionnaire (RFQ; Taylor et al., 2004) during a prenatal lab visit when female partners were six months pregnant. The RFQ was designed to assess the extent to which the childhood family environment (between ages 5 and 15) was cold, conflictual, or chaotic. The RFQ estimates the degree of risk for physical, mental, and emotional distress participants faced in their homes in childhood and adolescence. Two weeks later, expectant fathers completed structural and diffusion weighted imaging scans. Fractional anisotropy (FA) values, proxies for structural connectivity, were extracted from the diffusion weighted imaging scans. Correlational tractography was conducted to examine the association between RFQ and FA values at the whole brain level. H2: At six months postpartum (infants’ Mage = 6.96 months), fathers reported on their parenting behavior using the Parenting Your Baby (PYB; Guyon-Harris et al., 2023) during a postpartum lab visit. Higher scores on the PYB indicate greater endorsement of more effective parenting in the past month. Pearson correlation was conducted to examine the association between FA values of tracts associated with RFQ and parenting behavior, as indexed by PYB. RESULTS H1: Results of a correlational tractography analysis (Figure 1) revealed that fathers reporting greater risky family environments exhibited significantly lower FA in several white matter tracts (i.e., fornix and cingulum) involved in emotion processing, controlling for father age and gestational age of the fetus. H2: Results of a Pearson correlation analysis (Figure 2) revealed that lower FA in those same regions from H1 were associated with less effective parenting at postpartum (r = .37, p = .018). DISCUSSION Findings replicate existing literature on early life risk and lower WM organization in emotion related regions. The study represents one of few examinations of fathers' early life experiences, neurobiology, and parenting. Findings also provide unique insight into intergenerational transmission of risky family environments from fathers to infants. |
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Fatherhood through the Perinatal Period: Intergenerational Transmission of Mental Health Problems and Opportunities for Intervention
Submission Type
Paper Symposium
Description
| Session Title | Fatherhood through the Perinatal Period: Intergenerational Transmission of Mental Health Problems and Opportunities for Intervention |