Maternal prenatal PTSD symptoms mediate the association between disrupted prenatal maternal representations of the child and infant social-emotional functioning

TL;DR

Prenatal PTSD symptoms in mothers may explain how disrupted mental images of their child affect infants' social-emotional development.

Contribution

This study identifies prenatal PTSD as a mediator between disrupted maternal representations and infant social-emotional outcomes.

Findings

Prenatal PTSD symptoms were uniquely linked to disrupted maternal representations and infant social-emotional functioning.

Maternal prenatal PTSD symptoms mediated the relationship between disrupted representations and infant, but not toddler, social-emotional outcomes.

Screening for maternal PTSD during pregnancy may improve early intervention for child development.

Abstract

There is limited research on disrupted maternal representations of the child, including possible mechanisms that may account for their impact on very young children's social-emotional well-being. Existing research suggests that maternal mental health symptoms, particularly those that may be related to experiences of interpersonal trauma, may be important to investigate.

Utilizing multi-method data, including the Working Model of the Child Interview, from a longitudinal study involving a community sample (N = 120) of women aged 18–42 who participated from their third trimester of pregnancy through 2 years post birth, the present study examined associations between disrupted prenatal maternal representations, infant and toddler social-emotional functioning, and perinatal (third trimester and 1-year post birth) maternal mental health symptoms (PTSD, depression, and anxiety).

Prenatal PTSD symptoms were the only maternal mental health symptoms significantly associated with degree of disrupted prenatal maternal representations and later infant and toddler social-emotional functioning. Mediation models revealed that maternal prenatal PTSD symptoms mediated the association between degree of disrupted prenatal maternal representations and infant, but not toddler, social-emotional functioning.

Findings highlight the importance of screening for maternal PTSD symptoms during the prenatal period as well as the value of early intervention when disrupted prenatal maternal representations are identified.

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