Longitudinal associations between paternal mental health and child behavior and cognition in middle childhood

IntroductionPaternal mental health has been associated with adverse consequences on offspring psychosocial development, and family environmental factors may partly explain those associations. To clarify this, we need comprehensive prospective studies, particularly in middle-childhood when the child enters school and is expected to make use of behavioral and cognitive skills as part of their interactions and learning.MethodUsing data from a sub-sample of the prospective 3D birth cohort study comprised of mother-father-child triads, and a follow-up of the parents and the children at 6–8 years of age (n = 61; 36 boys, 25 girls), we examined whether paternal anxious and depressive symptoms measured during the pregnancy period (i.e., prenatally) or concurrently when the child was assessed at 6–8 years old were associated with children's cognition/behavior.ResultsIn contrast to our hypotheses, we found that greater prenatal paternal depressive symptoms predicted fewer child behavioral difficulties; and that greater concurrent childhood paternal depression or anxiety symptoms were associated with higher child full-scale IQ, controlling for the equivalent maternal mental health assessment and parental education. Father parenting perception did not mediate these associations, nor were they moderated by maternal mental health at the concurrent assessment, or paternal ratings of marital relationship quality.DiscussionThese findings suggest that higher symptoms of paternal mental health symptoms are associated with fewer child behavioral difficulties and higher cognitive performance in middle childhood. Potential clinical implications and future research directions are discussed

The Montreal Antenatal Well-Being Study (MAWS): a prospective longitudinal study of perinatal mental health.

Objective: This prospective longitudinal cohort aims to identify biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to maternal perinatal mental health, family well-being, and child development. Method: Pregnant individuals (N=1130) were recruited between 8-20 gestation weeks. Questionnaire data were collected through a web-based platform together with biosamples for genetic analysis. Baseline characteristics of the cohort are described. A Bayesian model explored potential pandemic-associated changes in baseline maternal mental health symptoms throughout recruitment. Results: At baseline, 28.3% and 11.6% of pregnant participants reported clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory ≥ 40) or depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ≥ 13). The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased likelihood of elevated scores on brief screening instruments for anxiety and depression. There was insufficient evidence for such effects using other screening tools. Conclusion(s): We further highlight anxiety and depression as common complications of pregnancy but find a modest impact of the pandemic on mental health within this cohort. Leveraging the unique data collected through this study we seek to inform screening practices and health policy to improve the well-being of mothers and families