A dyadic approach to stress and prenatal depression in first‐time parents: The mediating role of marital satisfaction

Abstract

In the field of perinatal clinical psychology, most studies focus on mothers' psychological states during pregnancy, neglecting the role of their partners. This study used an Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model to evaluate the mediating role of dyadic satisfaction on the relationship between perceived stress and prenatal depressive symptomatology in both members of male-female-mixed-gender couples who were expecting their first child. One hundred thirty-eight couples in their third trimester of pregnancy were asked to complete questionnaires about perceived stress, dyadic adjustment, and depression. The model revealed that there was an intrapersonal indirect effect of fathers' perceived stress on prenatal paternal depression through their marital satisfaction. Moreover, an interpersonal indirect effect was found with mothers' perceived stress being associated with prenatal paternal depression through fathers' dyadic satisfaction. Maternal indirect effects were all non-significant, suggesting that their dyadic satisfaction and that of their partner did not mediate the relation between their perceived stress and that of their partner and their prenatal depression. Findings support the importance of assessing the dyadic satisfaction of couples during pregnancy, especially in expectant fathers, and targeting it in the psychological support offered to couples as a way of improving their prenatal distress, and consequently, their mental health.

Predictive Factors for Depression and Anxiety in Men During the Perinatal Period: A Mixed Methods Study

“…The gap in communication, lack of affection, and reduced dyadic satisfaction is likely to result in marital distress (Darwiche et al, 2015). High levels of marital distress may lead to psychiatric distress (depression and/or anxiety) in fathers during the perinatal period (Mangialavori et al, 2021).…”

Predictors of Antenatal Depression in Pregnant Couples

“…Postpartum depression in women has attracted substantial academic and research attention in the field of women’s mental health. However, recent studies have suggested the need to expand the scope from the postnatal to the perinatal period, and from female partners to couples (Mangialavori et al, 2021; Paulson et al, 2016). Compared with postpartum depression, antenatal depression has received limited attention, despite the established role of depression during pregnancy as one of the strongest risk factors for postpartum depression (Beck, 2002).…”

“…The risk factors for paternal prenatal depression include maternal depression, marital distress, low social support, unplanned pregnancy, and work-family conflict (Chhabra et al, 2020). Although the risk factors for maternal and paternal antenatal depression have usually been reported in separate studies (Cameron et al, 2016; Chen et al, 2019; Shi et al, 2018), several recent studies analyzed the predictors of depression in both parents using interpersonal or shared influencing factors (Baldoni et al, 2020; Kiviruusu et al, 2020; Mangialavori et al, 2021). However, those studies examining the interpersonal effects of maternal and paternal risk factors on each partner’s depression were limited, using only one or two influencing factors (Baldoni et al, 2020; Mangialavori et al, 2021).…”

“…Although the risk factors for maternal and paternal antenatal depression have usually been reported in separate studies (Cameron et al, 2016; Chen et al, 2019; Shi et al, 2018), several recent studies analyzed the predictors of depression in both parents using interpersonal or shared influencing factors (Baldoni et al, 2020; Kiviruusu et al, 2020; Mangialavori et al, 2021). However, those studies examining the interpersonal effects of maternal and paternal risk factors on each partner’s depression were limited, using only one or two influencing factors (Baldoni et al, 2020; Mangialavori et al, 2021). Kiviruusu et al (2020) identified common predictors for parental depression using multiple risk factors, but the interpersonal effects of the maternal and paternal depression risk factors on their partners’ depression were not evaluated.…”

“…Furthermore, family psychologists consider pregnancy to be an established stressful life event (Holmes & Rahe, 1967). A recent study explored the relationship between perceived stress and depression in pregnant women and their partners based on family stress theory, a couple and family discord model of depression, and an actor-partner interdependence mediational model (Mangialavori et al, 2021). Other studies (Baldoni et al, 2020; Biaggi et al, 2016; Li et al, 2016) reported that perceived stress in pregnant women was an important factor influencing antenatal depression.…”