Maternal personality traits, antenatal depressive symptoms and the postpartum mother–infant relationship: a prospective observational study

Abstract

Purpose Maternal depression has been associated with bonding difficulties and lower maternal sensitivity in observed mother-infant interactions. However, little research has examined the impact of disordered personality traits in mothers on these outcomes. We investigated the association between disordered personality traits in mothers measured during pregnancy and postnatal (a) self-reported bonding with infant; (b) observational mother-infant interactions. Methods Five hundred fifty-six women were recruited during early pregnancy and subsequently followed up at mid-pregnancy (approximately 28 weeks' gestation) and when infants were aged approximately 3 months (n = 459). During early pregnancy, data were collected on disordered personality traits (using the Standardised Assessment of Personality Abbreviated Scale) and depressive symptoms (using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). At 3 months postpartum, self-reported perceived bonding (using the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire) were collected. A sub-sample of women additionally provided observational mother-infant interaction data (n = 206) (coded using the Child-Adult Relationship Experimental Index). Results Higher disordered personality traits was not associated with maternal perceptions of bonding impairment, but was associated with reduced maternal sensitivity during observational mother-infant interactions [adjusted for age, education, having older children, substance misuse prior to pregnancy, infant sex and gestational age: coefficient = − 0.28, 95% CI = − 0.56 to − 0.00, p < 0.05]. After adjusting for depressive symptoms, the association was attenuated [coefficient = − 0.19, 95% CI = − 0.48 to 0.11, p = 0.217]. Conclusions Mothers with disordered personality traits did not perceive themselves as having bonding impairments with their infants but were less sensitive during observed interactions, though depressive symptoms attenuated this relationship. Both depression and disordered personality traits need to be addressed to optimize mother-infant interactions.

Perinatal mental health: a review of progress and challenges

“…Conversely, women with personality dysfunctional traits have been found to be less sensitive during observed interactions, but they may not perceive themselves as having problems as measured by the Parental Bonding Questionnaire 68 . Other studies also highlight the importance of personality disorder with respect to adverse outcomes such as higher levels of dysregulated infant behaviour 69 .…”

Association of Maternal Mood Symptoms in Pregnancy with Exclusive Breastfeeding at Six Weeks Postpartum: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Clinicians may recommend avoiding breastfeeding for parturient women who are on psychiatric medications owing to the possibility that these medications may be secreted in their breast milk [29,30]. Additionally, both antenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms adversely affect postpartum mother-infant bonding [31,32]. Poor mother-infant bonding reduces breastfeeding self-e cacy and autonomous breastfeeding motivation [33][34][35].…”

Early‐ and late‐onset postpartum depression exhibit distinct associated factors: the IGEDEPP prospective cohort study

“…Indeed, the emotional and physical state of the mother, as well as the environment, changes between the first weeks postpartum and several months after birth 30 . There is an interaction between the emotional state of the mother and the emotional state of the children, and their interdependence, with mutual influence 31–33 …”