741 Sleep and postpartum depression in healthy fathers: Perceptions of sleep quality predict severity of symptoms

Introduction Research on the link between sleep quality and depression in the postpartum period has focused primarily on mothers. Although fathers also experience poorer postpartum sleep and are at risk of developing depressive symptoms, they remain understudied. To date, the limited research focusing on paternal sleep and depression has relied on subjective measures of sleep, without objective verification. The current study implemented a multi-measure approach using subjective and objective indices to explore the relationship between sleep and depressive symptoms in fathers at 6 months postpartum. Methods Fifty-four healthy fathers participated in this cross-sectional study. Paternal sleep was assessed for 2 weeks utilizing: 1) a self-report daily sleep diary, 2) a self-report perceived sleep quality rating, and 3) actigraphy. Subjective indices via the sleep diary measured participants’ perception of their total nocturnal sleep duration and total number of awakenings (self-reported sleep duration and fragmentation). Perceived sleep quality ratings measured participants’ perceptions of how well they thought they slept. Objective sleep variables measured through actigraphy included: total nocturnal sleep duration, number of awakenings, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Paternal depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale (CES-D). Results Regression analyses showed that subjective sleep variables (measured by the sleep diary) and objective sleep variables (measured by actigraphy) did not significantly predict postpartum depressive symptoms in fathers (p > .05). However, self-reported perceived sleep quality significantly predicted postpartum depressive symptom severity in fathers (R2 = .172, p = .034). Conclusion These findings advance our understanding of the link between sleep and depression in fathers. The results highlight the important role of fathers’ perceptions of sleep quality, rather than the actual quality or quantity of their sleep (measured through the sleep diary or actigraphy), in the development of postpartum depressive symptoms. The multi-measure approach to sleep implemented in this study expanded our knowledge about how different facets of sleep relate to depression. These findings have important implications for the development of clinical interventions targeting paternal sleep and mood in the months following childbirth. Support (if any) Social-Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS)

Reciprocal Influence of Depressive Symptoms Between Mothers and Fathers During the First Postpartum Year: A Comparison Among Full-Term, Very Low, and Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

Background: Perinatal depression (PND) in mothers and fathers of very low and extremely low birth weight (VLBW and ELBW) infants has not been studied extensively. In particular, no studies investigated the reciprocal influence of depressive symptoms during the first 12 months postpartum. This study aimed at exploring the impact of the severity of prematurity on maternal and paternal PND during the first postpartum year; specifically, we used an Actor–Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to test the interdependence of both partners on depressive symptoms.Methods: A total of 177 mothers and 177 fathers were recruited, divided into 38 couples with ELBW infants, 56 with VLBW, and 83 of full-term (FT) infants. PND was evaluated by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 3, 9, and 12 months postpartum (corrected age for preterm infants).Results: Maternal depressive symptoms at 3 months were positively related to those at 9 and 12 months in the 3 groups. Conversely, paternal depressive symptoms assessed at 3 months were positively related to those measured at 9 months for the ELBW group, 12 months for the VLBW group, 9 and 12 months for FT condition. Furthermore, a significantly positive partner effect was observed regarding the influence of 3 month maternal depressive symptoms on paternal depressive symptoms at 9 months, but only in the case of the VLBW group.Conclusion: Prematurity represents a very specific scenario in the transition to parenthood, leading to specific reactions in mothers and fathers, especially in high-risk conditions. Results should be deepened given the relevance of their clinical implications.

The Transactional Relationship between Parental and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: The Mediating Effect of Nurturant–Involved Parenting

Sameroff’s transactional theory emphasizes a bidirectional process between parents and offspring. The present study explored the reciprocal relationships between parental and adolescent depressive symptoms using a cross-lagged model and examined the mediating effect of nurturant–involved parenting on the relationship between them. Data for the present study were collected from a longitudinal study, and a total of 1644 adolescents and their mothers and fathers participated in the present study. The results revealed a reciprocal relationship between maternal and adolescent depressive symptoms, and the child-driven effect was more robust than the mother-driven effect. Adolescent depressive symptoms significantly predicted paternal depressive symptoms, but not vice versa. In addition, adolescent depressive symptoms indirectly predicted maternal and paternal depressive symptoms by deteriorating nurturant-involved parenting. These findings highlight a child-driven effect on parents’ psychopathology, which may shed light on the mechanism underlying depression transmission between parents and adolescents.

Parental attachment and depressive symptoms in pregnancies complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome: a cohort study

Background Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a highly morbid condition in which treatment exists, but the pregnancy remains high-risk until delivery. It may have serious sequelae, including fetal death, and in the longer term, neurodevelopmental problems. The aim of this study is to assess antenatal and postnatal parental attachment and depressive symptoms in those with pregnancies affected by TTTS. Methods Couples attending for fetoscopic laser ablation treatment of TTTS were asked to complete Condon’s Maternal/Paternal Antenatal/Postnatal Attachment Scale as appropriate, and the Edinburgh Depression Scale the day before ablation, 4 weeks post-ablation, and 6–10 weeks postnatally. Results 25/27 couples completed the pre-ablation questionnaire (median gestational age 19 + 3 weeks [interquartile range 18 + 2–20 + 6]). 8/18 eligible couples returned the post-ablation questionnaire. 5/17 eligible couples returned the postnatal questionnaire. There was no significant difference in parento-fetal attachment when mothers were compared to fathers at each time point, however parento-fetal attachment did increase over time in mothers (p = 0.004), but not fathers. Mothers reported more depressive symptoms antenatally compared to fathers (p < 0.02), but there was no difference postnatally. 50% women reported Edinburgh Depression Scale scores above the cut-off (≥15) 4 weeks post-ablation. Over time maternal depressive symptoms decreased (p = 0.006), however paternal depressive symptoms remained the same. Conclusions This is the first attachment and depression study in a UK cohort of parents with pregnancies affected by TTTS. Although this was a small cohort and the questionnaires used had not been validated in these circumstances, the results suggest that centres caring for these couples should be aware of the risk of maternal and paternal antenatal depression, and screen and refer for additional psychological support. Further work is needed in larger cohorts. Trial registration ISRCTN 13114861 (retrospectively registered).

General, Interpersonal, and Gender Role Specific Risk Factors of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Fathers

Introduction: Paternal postnatal depression has significant negative consequences for the family and child. Still, only little attention has been paid to potential unique risk factors of depression in fathers and the theoretical grounding of such research is sparse. Method: This study examined prenatal risk factors derived from three theoretical models: the cognitive vulnerability-stress model, the interpersonal model, and the gender role risk model of paternal postnatal depression. The sample consisted of 211 expectant fathers, of whom 5.7% scored above the clinical cut-off on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and 235 mothers were included as a reference group. Participants filled in questionnaires during pregnancy and four months postpartum. Results: The study results suggest that prenatal depressive score is the strongest risk factor for both paternal and maternal postnatal depressive symptoms. In addition, childhood separation from parents, unemployment, financial strain, and doubts about having the child were unique risk factors for paternal depressive symptoms, while lower marital satisfaction was a unique risk factor for maternal depression. Discussion: These findings highlight that beyond the strong role of prenatal depressive symptoms for both genders, specific risk factors for father depression exist. This may be informative to health care professionals in increasing the reach and prevention of depression in new fathers.