FMUC

O Projecto Infant's Temperament and Emotional Distress, dos investigadores do Instituto de Psicologia Médica da FMUC, liderados pela Doutora Sandra Bos, foi um dos seis seleccionados, pela Fundação AstraZeneca, dentre 60 candidaturas, para beneficiar de apoio financeiro durante 3 anos (2010-2012).

Abstract: Postpartum depression is a serious mental health problem that affects approximately 13% of mothers and their families. Previous history of mental health problem (particularly depression), psychological distress in pregnancy (depression or anxiety), stressful life events and low social support are the most consensual predictor factors for maternal depression. Child temperament has been associated to maternal depression or psychological distress, particularly when a mother has to cope with a difficult infant. Nevertheless, studies supporting the unidirectional effects of child temperament on maternal mood are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore whether infant temperament can per se predict maternal postpartum depression or psychological distress, after controlling for other possible confounding variables such as maternal past history of depression, pregnancy distress, maternal trait anxiety, perceived life stress or overall social support, using actigraphy as an objective measure of the rest-activity cycle regularity, one of the facets of child temperament. Results can contribute to the rationale that infant’s temperament contribute to maternal depression and provide support for promoting cognitive-behavioural strategies to help mothers coping with a difficult child.

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