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Coparenting moderates the association between maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and infant regulatory capacity
  • Tiago Miguel Pinto,
  • Mark Ethan Feinberg,
  • Barbara Figueiredo
Tiago Miguel Pinto
Universidade do Minho, Universidade Lusofona do Porto

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Mark Ethan Feinberg
Pennsylvania State University
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Barbara Figueiredo
Universidade do Minho
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Abstract

As a development-enhancing or a risk-promoting environment, coparenting may shape the association between maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and infant regulatory capacity. This study aimed to analyze the moderator role of positive and negative coparenting in the association between maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and infant regulatory capacity at 3 months. A sample of 103 primiparous couples (N = 206 parents) was recruited at the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Mothers reported on depressive symptoms at the 1st trimester of pregnancy, and both parents reported on depressive symptoms, coparenting, and infant regulatory capacity at 2 weeks and 3 months postpartum. Higher levels of maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and higher levels of maternal and paternal reports of negative coparenting at 2 weeks postpartum were associated with lower infant regulatory capacity at 3 months. Negative coparenting at 2 weeks postpartum accentuated the association between maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and infant regulatory capacity at 3 months. The results support a view of negative coparenting as a risk-promoting environment that can accentuate the association between maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and infant regulatory capacity. Infants in families with mothers with elevated prenatal depressive symptoms and with high levels of negative coparenting may be at high risk of low regulatory capacity.
20 Nov 2023Submitted to Infant and Child Development: prenatal, childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood
21 Nov 2023Submission Checks Completed
21 Nov 2023Assigned to Editor
15 Feb 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
19 May 20241st Revision Received
08 Jun 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned