Browsing by Subject "externalizing"

Abstract: Objectives: Postpartum bonding depicts the emotional bond of the parents towards their baby. As a concept, postpartum bonding is closely linked with attachment and postpartum depression. Thus far, there has been limited research on the possible impact of postpartum bonding quality on child social-emotional development and psychopathology. Postpartum bonding research so far has only included mothers, despite the modern family dynamics involving a more equal share of time and duties in child rearing between both parents. This thesis investigates the association between maternal and paternal postpartum bonding and child social-emotional problems at preschool age, independent of depressive symptoms. Also, the joint effect of both parents’ bonding quality on child social-emotional problems is examined. Methods: The data used in this thesis was from the larger CHILD-SLEEP -cohort study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), with participants from 63 Finnish maternity clinics (N= 710 in this study). Postpartum bonding was assessed with Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), and child social-emotional problems were assessed with the Five to Fifteen (FTF) and the Strengths and Difficulties (SDQ) scales. Associations between postpartum bonding and child social-emotional outcomes were analyzed with hierarchical linear regression models. In the analyses, parental postpartum depressive symptoms and several parental and child background factors were controlled. Results and conclusions: In this study, maternal and paternal postpartum bonding problems were both associated with child social-emotional problems. When accounting for parental depressive symptoms, only maternal bonding remained associated with both internalizing and peer problems, and paternal bonding was only associated with internalizing problems. When investigating the joint effect of parental bonding, paternal bonding problems aggravated the effect of maternal dysfunctional bonding on later child internalizing problems. The study results show how important the early parental bond is in terms of later child mental health. Hence, it is important to provide early support for parents in developing a solid, functional bond with their baby.