Actor and partner effects of prenatal coparenting behavior on postpartum depression in first-time parents

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health complication of pregnancy and childbirth with long- and short-term consequences for the wellbeing and the functioning of parents. In particular, first-time parents seem to be at high risk for developing post-birth depressive symptoms as the transition to parenthood elevates stress and demands adjustment to significant changes. Prior research has mostly documented individual characteristics, such as prenatal depression and psychiatric history, as predictors of PPD, but much less is known about the potential contribution of interpersonal processes within relational contexts, such as the coparenting relationship, to PPD among first-time mothers and fathers. With evidence suggesting that coparenting dynamics start developing prior to the birth, it is imperative to consider characteristics of coparenting interaction behaviors as early as during pregnancy to identify such behaviors as risk or protective factors for PPD. In the current study, we explored one’s own (actor) and partner’s observed prenatal coparenting behaviors as predictors of mothers' and fathers' PPD. A mixed-method longitudinal study with 107 expectant couples provided both partners' self-report measures and observational data from interaction tasks prenatally, and at 3 and 6 months post-birth. APIM multilevel model analyses revealed that both negative (i.e., withdrawal and conflict) and positive (i.e., communication skills, support, and problem solving attempts) prenatal coparenting behaviors were uniquely predictive of PPD among first-time parents above and beyond other potential predictors of PPD, although several similarities and dissimilarities among fathers and mothers were detected.

Dyadic Prenatal Coparenting Interaction Behaviors Predicting Postpartum Depressive Symptoms during the Transition to Parenthood

“…This study drew on recent findings that revealed actor and partner effects of individual prenatal coparenting behaviors of first-time parents on postpartum depressive symptoms [ 13 ], and extended them by exploring associations between expectant parents’ dyadic interaction patterns before birth and depressive symptoms after birth. This goal was also driven by the understanding that, despite the central role of the emerging coparenting relationship in first-time parents’ daily adjustment and its development already beginning during pregnancy, the association between prenatal coparenting dynamics and postpartum depressive symptoms is extremely understudied.…”

“…It included first-time heterosexual couples in the third trimester of pregnancy to 24 months post-birth. The inclusion criteria included (1) two-parent families expecting their first child and (2) singleton pregnancy, and the exclusion criteria included (1) significant pregnancy complications, (2) significant physical illness, especially cardiovascular diseases, (3) psychiatric disorders, and (4) the use of substantial medication or other substance (including heavy smoking) for full details and a description of the recruitment process, see [ 13 ]. The sample size was a priori determined by a power analysis using GPower* in order to reach 95% power to detect medium 0.15-sized effects.…”

“…Three trained coders (graduate students) coded the interactions. For further details on the coding process, see [ 13 ]. The intraclass correlations (ICCs) were 0.89 for negative escalation; 0.93 for dominance; 0.73 for editing; and 0.85 for synchrony.…”

“…With the increased stress brought on by the addition of an infant [ 12 ], the nature of the coparenting interaction can add or alleviate stress and contribute to the emotional experiences of new mothers and fathers. Indeed, recent initial findings provide support for this assertion, pointing to associations between the individual communication behaviors of each partner (e.g., attempts to avoid interaction or offering positive suggestions to their partner) during prenatal coparenting interaction and postpartum depressive symptoms [ 13 ]. Family systems theories [ 14 ], however, suggest that partners are interdependent, calling for employing an interpersonal approach to explore the dyadic patterns of partners’ interaction and their potential outcomes.…”

“…Family systems theories [ 14 ], however, suggest that partners are interdependent, calling for employing an interpersonal approach to explore the dyadic patterns of partners’ interaction and their potential outcomes. Thus, we draw on a family systems perspective, on evidence that suggest that partners already start to form a coparenting relationship during pregnancy, e.g., [ 13 , 15 ], and on family developmental perspectives that suggest that parents’ experience post-birth can be predicted by their pre-birth functioning [ 16 ], we explore the relationship between expectant parents’ dyadic coparenting communication behaviors at the prenatal stage and their postnatal emotional experience in the form of postpartum depressive symptoms. Specifically, we test the hypothesis that prenatal coparenting dyadic interaction patterns will predict postpartum depressive symptoms among first-time mothers and fathers at 3, 6, and 24 months post-birth (whereas for many parents, PPD lasts for several weeks or months, for others, it can continue beyond the first year after the birth, and even several years postpartum [ 17 , 18 ]).…”