| Popis: |
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY DURING THE POSTNATAL PERIOD: CORRELATIONS BETWEEN MOTHERS AND FATHERS. Giannotti Michele1, Facondini Elisa2,3, Cena Loredana4, Ancora Gina3, Chirico Gaetano5, Baldoni Franco2 1 Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento 2 Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy 3 NICU Infermi Hospital, Rimini-AUSL Romagna, Italy 4 Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy 5 NICU Civili Hospital-AUSL Brescia, Italy Literature has widely studied prenatal and postnatal depression in mothers, but recent research highlights that perinatal affective disorders are also a problem for fathers. Furthermore, many studies showed significant correlations between maternal and paternal perinatal mental states, confirming that when a parent suffers from a perinatal affective disorder, even the partner is at risk. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible association in mothers and fathers of affective symptoms during the postnatal period. The main hypotheses are: 1) depression and anxiety levels correlate in in both parents at any postnatal time; 2) significative affective symptomatology in one parent is associated with a higher symptomatology in the partner. 122 parents (61 couples) were recruited in collaboration with the Rimini and Brescia Hospitals. At 3 months (T1) and 6 months (T2) after childbirth all subjects completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y). Statistical analyses were performed using R-3.4.0 for Windows. 14 mothers (23%) and 7 fathers (11%) reported a significant depressive symptomatology at 3 months postnatal (CES-D > 16). Unlike mothers (T2=8%), fathers showed an increased rate of significant depressive symptoms at 6 months (T2=16%). Correlations among paternal depression (T1), maternal anxiety (T1; p < .05) and maternal depression (at any time point; p < .01) were found. Moreover, paternal depressive symptomatology at 3 months resulted significantly associated with maternal depressive symptomatology at 6 months (p < .05), but not vice versa. These findings confirm that maternal and paternal affective symptoms are associated in the first 6 months postnatal, suggesting the need to support both parents during the post-partum period. Furthermore, professionals should become aware of the different expression of affective disorders in fathers and mothers and their possible effect on the partner’s mental state. |
