From adolescence to parenthood: a multi-decade study of preconception mental health problems and postpartum parent–infant bonds

Abstract

Purpose: To examine associations between anxiety and depressive symptoms across adolescence and young adulthood with subsequent maternal- and paternal–infant bonding at 1 year postpartum. Methods: The data were from a prospective, intergenerational cohort study. Participants (381 mothers of 648 infants; 277 fathers of 421 infants) self-reported depression and anxiety at three adolescent waves (ages 13, 15 and 17 years) and three young adult waves (ages 19, 23 and 27 years). Subsequent parent–infant bonds with infants were reported at 1 year postpartum (parent age 29–35 years). Generalised estimating equations (GEE) separately assessed associations for mothers and fathers. Results: Mean postpartum bonding scores were approximately half a standard deviation lower in parents with a history of persistent adolescent and young adult depressive symptoms (maternal βadj = − 0.45, 95% CI − 0.69, − 0.21; paternal βadj = − 0.55, 95% CI − 0.90, 0.20) or anxiety (maternal βadj = − 0.42, 95% CI − 0.66, − 0.18; paternal βadj = − 0.49, 95% CI − 0.95, 0.03). Associations were still mostly evident, but attenuated after further adjustment for postpartum mental health concurrent with measurement of bonding. Conclusions: Persistent symptoms of depression or anxiety spanning adolescence and young adulthood predict poorer emotional bonding with infants 1-year postbirth for both mothers and fathers.