Maternal bonding and risk of depression in late pregnancy: a survey of Italian nulliparous women

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the known risk factors of antenatal depression focusing on the woman’s intrapersonal and interpersonal characteristics, particularly her early experience of the parent–child relationship. Background: Starting from a psychodynamic view, where pregnancy is regarded as a period of normal maturational crisis which under unfavourable conditions may lead to psychopathological conditions, it may be important to outline which factors adversely affect the resolution of this phase. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey; a series of questionnaires were administered to a sample of Italian, nulliparous and low risk pregnant women to evaluate depression, anxiety, parental bonding and variables concerning the wellbeing of the woman including the quality of relationships with important people in her life. Results: Logistic regression analysis confirmed the role of several known risk factors of antenatal depression (i.e. concurrent anxiety, the presence of stressful events) and yielded two new findings: a relationship characterised by affectionless-control with the mother in childhood and having experienced a mother who had miscarried. Conclusion: The results underline the relevance of the early mother-daughter relationship in the pregnant woman’s intrapsychic reorganization of motherhood, emphasising the importance of preventive psychological management as part of prenatal care.

Keywords:

• pregnancy
• psychosocial factors
• mothers
• postnatal depression
• reproduction

Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to the women who took part in this project. A special thanks to the Staff of: Spedali Civili di Brescia Hospital, S. Orsola Hospital, Azienda Sociosanitaria Locale (ASL), Consultorio Civitas, to all the midwives and health care professionals who made this project possible, and to Prof. Jenovia Smith for her precious help with the translation of the article. This study was supported by Sovvenzione Globale INGENIO funds granted by Fondo Sociale Europeo, Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali, Regione Lombardia.