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From adolescence to parenthood: a multi-decade study of preconception mental health problems and postpartum parent–infant bonds

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine associations between anxiety and depressive symptoms across adolescence and young adulthood with subsequent maternal- and paternal–infant bonding at 1 year postpartum.

Methods

The data were from a prospective, intergenerational cohort study. Participants (381 mothers of 648 infants; 277 fathers of 421 infants) self-reported depression and anxiety at three adolescent waves (ages 13, 15 and 17 years) and three young adult waves (ages 19, 23 and 27 years). Subsequent parent–infant bonds with infants were reported at 1 year postpartum (parent age 29–35 years). Generalised estimating equations (GEE) separately assessed associations for mothers and fathers.

Results

Mean postpartum bonding scores were approximately half a standard deviation lower in parents with a history of persistent adolescent and young adult depressive symptoms (maternal βadj = − 0.45, 95% CI − 0.69, − 0.21; paternal βadj = − 0.55, 95% CI − 0.90, 0.20) or anxiety (maternal βadj = − 0.42, 95% CI − 0.66, − 0.18; paternal βadj = − 0.49, 95% CI − 0.95, 0.03). Associations were still mostly evident, but attenuated after further adjustment for postpartum mental health concurrent with measurement of bonding.

Conclusions

Persistent symptoms of depression or anxiety spanning adolescence and young adulthood predict poorer emotional bonding with infants 1-year postbirth for both mothers and fathers.

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Acknowledgements

The ATP and ATPG3 studies are located at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and are a collaboration between Deakin University, The University of Melbourne, The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Australian Institute of Family Studies, The University of New South Wales, University of Otago (NZ) and the Royal Children's Hospital; further information available at https://www.melbournechildrens.com/atp/. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and may not reflect those of their organisational affiliations, nor of other collaborating individuals or organisations. We acknowledge all collaborators who have contributed to the Australian Temperament Project, especially Professors Ann Sanson, Margot Prior, Frank Oberklaid and Dr Diana Smart. We are grateful to all study research team members involved in data collection and management, in particular Generation 3 Project Manager, Mrs Sophie Barker. We would also like to sincerely thank the participating families for their time and invaluable contribution to the study.

Funding

This work was supported by the Australian Research Council [DP130101459; DP160103160; DP180102447] and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia [APP1082406; APP1175086; APP1197488].

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Correspondence to J. A. Macdonald.

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Macdonald, J.A., Greenwood, C., Letcher, P. et al. From adolescence to parenthood: a multi-decade study of preconception mental health problems and postpartum parent–infant bonds. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 57, 601–610 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01965-y

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