Nilo Puglisi, Valentine Rattaz, Hervé Tissot, Nicolas Favez
{"title":"Affect regulation among bereaved parents following perinatal death: a systematic review of quantitative studies.","authors":"Nilo Puglisi, Valentine Rattaz, Hervé Tissot, Nicolas Favez","doi":"10.1080/02646838.2026.2736874","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2026.2736874","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Perinatal death has profound psychological and physical consequences. Understanding how bereaved parents regulate negative affect may help explain variability in adjustment and inform interventions. However, two important gaps remain. First, existing reviews in the field include very limited evidence on parents following perinatal death. Second, these reviews have focused primarily on emotion regulation processes, although emotion regulation is only one way to regulate affective experiences.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This review synthesises quantitative evidence on affect regulation (AR) following perinatal death, using Gross's (2024) AR framework to organise and interpret findings. It also explores differences between mothers and fathers, and according to the timing of death.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Four databases were searched. The identified strategies were mapped onto four AR domains of Gross's (2024) framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Only six cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria. Parents were reported to use multiple co-occurring AR strategies, with none predominating. All strategies fell within the coping domain. Other AR domains - emotion regulation, mood regulation, and impulse regulation - have not yet been investigated quantitatively. None of the included studies compared AR strategies between mothers and fathers, precluding conclusions about differences. Only one study reported AR strategies separately by timing of death, suggesting broadly similar strategies following stillbirth and neonatal death, although comparisons were descriptive and not statistically tested.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Quantitative research on AR following perinatal death remains limited and has focused almost exclusively on coping-related processes. Broader assessments of AR and longitudinal designs are needed to advance knowledge and inform interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":47721,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149128881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction.","authors":"","doi":"10.1080/02646838.2026.2742123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2026.2742123","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47721,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"i-x"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149116803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nana-Rosa Wonner, Miren Deborah Schmidt-Riese, Valia Pernidaki, Annalena Köhnlein, Sarah Sommerlad, Frank Louwen, Karin Schermelleh-Engel, Silvia Oddo-Sommerfeld
{"title":"Antepartum stress, trait anxiety, and medical risks as predictors of fathers' postpartum worry after threatened preterm birth.","authors":"Nana-Rosa Wonner, Miren Deborah Schmidt-Riese, Valia Pernidaki, Annalena Köhnlein, Sarah Sommerlad, Frank Louwen, Karin Schermelleh-Engel, Silvia Oddo-Sommerfeld","doi":"10.1080/02646838.2026.2737404","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2026.2737404","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Preterm birth (PB) or its threat (TPB) can negatively affect paternal mental health, leading to increased worry. As specific paternal risk factors are understudied, this study aimed to identify psychological, maternal, and infant-related medical factors associated with paternal postpartum worry in the context of TPB and PB.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this longitudinal study, 112 men were assessed during their partner's pregnancy (T1) and six weeks postpartum (T2). Trait anxiety, worry, and chronic stress were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety-Depression Inventory (STADI) and the Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress (TICS). Maternal and infant medical data were collected from clinical records and standardised self-reports. Participants were assigned to either a risk group (RG) with term birth (TB) or PB, or a control group (CG: no TPB, term birth). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of paternal worry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Antepartum chronic stress predicted worry. Trait anxiety and obstetric factors, cervical insufficiency and preterm premature rupture of membranes, were significant predictors in RG-TB only. In the RG-PB, low infant birth weight showed a small but non-significant association with paternal worry.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Fathers exposed to TPB are at increased risk of postpartum worry, particularly with higher antepartum chronic stress, trait anxiety, and maternal complications, even when the infant is born at term. Chronic stress and trait anxiety, along with maternal complications and infant birth outcomes, contribute differentially to paternal worry. These findings highlight the importance of early support and stress prevention for fathers facing prenatal risk, regardless of birth outcome.</p>","PeriodicalId":47721,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149076333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Influence of climate change concern on reproductive decision-making in Australia.","authors":"Crystal Sonnendecker, Katherine Sanders, Caitlin Liddelow","doi":"10.1080/02646838.2026.2736870","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2026.2736870","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Australia, like many high-income countries, has experienced a decline in fertility rates, raising concerns around the long-term implications for population stability. While economic factors influence reproductive decision-making, emerging evidence suggests that broader global issues, such as climate change, are shaping people's intentions towards having children. The aim of this study was to apply a modified theory of planned behaviour by incorporating climate change concern and socioeconomic status (SES), to investigate their additive influence on intentions to have children in Australia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 265 Australian residents aged 18-45 years (<i>M</i> = 27.24, SD = 7.40), either childless, or having had a child within the past 10 years, were included in the analysis. Data were analysed using a general linear model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Control variables (age, number of children, and desired number of children) significantly predicted intentions to have children, accounting for 60.8% of the variance. After incorporating the theory of planned behaviour variables (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control), variance explained increased to 73.6%, with attitudes and subjective norms emerging as significant predictors. Climate change concern and SES did not significantly predict intention. SES did not moderate the relationship between climate change concern and intention. However, higher climate change concern was associated with a lower desired number of children (<i>r</i> = -.18).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Future government initiatives should prioritise improving attitudes and subjective norms regarding parenthood. Future research should investigate climate change concern in more diverse populations and consider alternative measures to more accurately capture its influence on reproductive decision-making.</p>","PeriodicalId":47721,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149031499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jessica Radley, Claire Grant, Billie Lever Taylor, Michelle Moulds, Victoria Pile
{"title":"Harnessing mental imagery to improve mental health in the perinatal period: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Jessica Radley, Claire Grant, Billie Lever Taylor, Michelle Moulds, Victoria Pile","doi":"10.1080/02646838.2026.2725060","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02646838.2026.2725060","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mental imagery is an important maintenance factor in many mental health difficulties, and imagery-based treatments are effective, yet often underutilised. The perinatal period is a critical time for mental health outcomes. This review synthesised data on the relationship between imagery and mental health and the effectiveness of imagery-based interventions in the perinatal period.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eligibility criteria were quantitative design, perinatal sample, a mental health outcome and either a measure of imagery or an intervention with an imagery component. Six databases were searched in May 2024 with the search updated in May 2026. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data were synthesised narratively and in meta-analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 1592 de-duplicated identified reports, 38 studies were included (34 intervention studies, 2 retrospective cohort studies, 2 cross-sectional studies). Meta-analyses found no clear effect on anxiety (SMD -0.17, 95% CI -0.36 to 0.03) or depression (SMD -0.17, 95% CI -1.15 to 0.80), with overall low certainty of evidence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This review found that mental imagery has been harnessed in a limited fashion in the perinatal period. The majority of identified interventions aimed to enhance positive imagery with very few aiming to address negative imagery. Only one of the cross-sectional studies included examined the relationship between measures of perinatal mental imagery and mental health. In order to develop effective interventions that can both use and target dysfunctional mental imagery, it is critical that a strong theoretical basis is developed for use of imagery in the perinatal period.</p>","PeriodicalId":47721,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-30"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149018202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dyadic coping affect mothers' and fathers' depressive symptoms during pregnancy.","authors":"Jessica Letot, Emmanuel Devouche, Aurélie Untas","doi":"10.1080/02646838.2026.2731909","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2026.2731909","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to explore whether dyadic coping strategies are associated with both women's and men's depressive symptoms during pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Very few studies have investigated the association between dyadic coping and depressive symptoms in couples during the transition to parenthood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A sample of 192 couples completed the Dyadic Coping Inventory and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. The data were analysed using regression and the actor-partner interdependence model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three actor effects and two partner effects were found for depressive symptoms in women, and five actor effects and five partner effects were found for depressive symptoms in men. Men's depressive symptoms were associated with less supportive dyadic coping in men, less delegated dyadic coping in men, as reported by both partners, less common dyadic coping, as reported by men, and lower evaluation of dyadic coping (EDC), as reported by both partners. Men's depressive symptoms were also linked to more negative dyadic coping (NDC) in women, as reported by both partners. Women's depressive symptoms were associated with lower stress communication in men, as reported by both partners, less delegated dyadic coping in men, as reported by men, and lower EDC and higher NDC in men, as reported by women.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Women's and men's dyadic coping affect their own and their partner's depressive symptoms, which highlights the necessity of early screening for both partners. Early detection would enable the implementation of targeted interventions to support dyadic coping.</p>","PeriodicalId":47721,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148971684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brooke Van Zanden, Judy A Pickard, Levita D'Souza, Mathew Aquilina, Andrew J Lewis
{"title":"'Not a one size fits all'- experiences of breastfeeding families who discontinue behavioural sleep interventions.","authors":"Brooke Van Zanden, Judy A Pickard, Levita D'Souza, Mathew Aquilina, Andrew J Lewis","doi":"10.1080/02646838.2026.2723753","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02646838.2026.2723753","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In Australian inpatient and residential care settings, behavioural infant sleep interventions are provided to families. Behavioural sleep interventions have been associated with high rates of drop-out and low adherence. However, there is a lack of qualitative research exploring: a) the reasons why families disengage from these interventions, and b) how these interventions interact with the breastfeeding relationship.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> This study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore the experiences of breastfeeding mothers (n = 10) who had discontinued behavioural sleep interventions in Australian residential or inpatient settings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five themes were identified: 1) 'It's not a one size fits all' detailed how interventions were experienced as failing to adapt to the unique needs of families; 2) 'Navigating power and agency on the ward' explored maternal loss of agency when interacting with health professionals and making decisions about their infants' care; 3) 'A 'slave' to sleep: loss of pleasure and ease in family life', encompassed maternal experiences of fatigue and loss of enjoyment while implementing the intervention; 4) 'Undermining of the breastfeeding relationship', reflected maternal concern about the effects of the intervention on breastfeeding; and 5) 'Escalating distress within the family system', referred to heightened feelings of distress elicited by the intervention.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Breastfeeding families who discontinue behavioural sleep interventions in residential and inpatient settings describe heightened distress, fatigue, and disruptions to the breastfeeding relationship. When interventions are delivered inflexibly without supporting the agency or unique needs of families, there is a risk of undermining parenting confidence and wellbeing.</p>","PeriodicalId":47721,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148946011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Early maternal emotional availability and self-objectification during breastfeeding in maltreated mothers: a pilot observation study.","authors":"Sharon Almougy, Anat Talmon","doi":"10.1080/02646838.2026.2725080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2026.2725080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This pilot study investigates whether self-objectification, a marker of dehumanisation, mediates the relationship between childhood maltreatment (CM) and the emotional experience of breastfeeding in postpartum women.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Research has emphasised breastfeedings's physical benefits, duration, and maternal intent, with limited attension to how maternal CM affects well-being during breastfeeding and mother-infant interaction.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Fifty women, up to six months postpartum, completed standardised self‑report questionnaires and participated in video‑recorded breastfeeding observations coded for Emotional Availability (EA) by trained, certified raters.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis showed that self-objectification was significantly associated with both lower observed maternal emotional availability and more negative feelings towards breastfeeding. An indirect statistical association through self-objectification was supported for negative feelings towards breastfeeding, whereas evidence for the corresponding indirect association with observed maternal emotional availability differed across inferential methods. Maternal EA categories were descriptively cross-tabulated with CM status (CM: <i>n</i> = 35; non-CM: <i>n</i> = 15). The omnibus distribution did not reach statistical significance (<i>p</i> = .244, Cramer's V = .29), although maternal detachment was more frequent in the CM group (31.4% vs. 6.7%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results highlight the importance of research and trauma-informed care. Early breastfeeding observations may help identify indices of dyadic relationship quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":47721,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148913902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Empathy, Theory of Mind, and psychological outcomes in early parenthood: comparing mothers, fathers, and non-parents.","authors":"S J Davies","doi":"10.1080/02646838.2024.2442470","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02646838.2024.2442470","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims/background: </strong>Parenthood may influence social cognitive processes such as Theory of Mind (ToM) and empathy, which are linked to parental psychological well-being. However, there is limited research on these relationship in the early postpartum period (6-12 months post-birth). This study explores differences in ToM and empathy in parents of young infants compared to non-parents and examines how these traits relate to parents' psychological well-being, attachment, and caregiving attitudes.</p><p><strong>Design/methods: </strong>A sample of 209 parents (53 mothers, 56 fathers) of infants aged 6-12 months and 100 non-parents completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) for empathy and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) for ToM. Measures of parents' stress and psychological distress were also included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Parents demonstrated higher empathic concern compared to non-parent men, with no differences in ToM. Subgroup analyses revealed distinct patterns in how empathy and ToM related to attachment, caregiving attitudes, and well-being, with empathic concern linked to lower stress in mothers and personal distress associated with poorer well-being in fathers.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings underscore empathy's relevance to parental mental health and caregiving, suggesting avenues for targeted mental health interventions. Future research should employ experimental and longitudinal designs to expand on these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":47721,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1391-1409"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142840020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lily Pham, Jack Charles Collins, Rebekah Jane Moles, Claire Louise O'Reilly, Sarira El-Den
{"title":"Perspectives on perinatal depression and anxiety screening in primary care: a meta-synthesis.","authors":"Lily Pham, Jack Charles Collins, Rebekah Jane Moles, Claire Louise O'Reilly, Sarira El-Den","doi":"10.1080/02646838.2025.2609113","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02646838.2025.2609113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims/background: </strong>Perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) may result in poor emotional and physical health, detrimental to the well-being of parents and their children. Primary health professionals have a role in the early detection of PNDA through screening to mitigate these adverse impacts. This meta-synthesis aimed to investigate perspectives on perinatal depression and anxiety screening in primary care settings.</p><p><strong>Design/methods: </strong>The search strategy exploring 4 key concepts: (i) the perinatal period, (ii) depression and anxiety disorders, (iii) qualitative research and (iv) screening, was conducted across Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL and JBI databases on 3 November 2023. Included publications were written in English and reported on qualitative research exploring any perspectives of actual or hypothetical PNDA screening services in primary care settings. Studies conducted in unclear healthcare settings, focussing on screening tool validation or services peripheral to screening, were excluded. Qualitative data were thematically synthesised using an interpretivist epistemological approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The search yielded 8260 publications. Following duplicate removal (n = 2788) and the systematic screening of 5472 publications, 24 publications were included for data extraction. Publications explored perspectives of consumers and health professionals receiving or conducting PNDA screening. Five overarching themes were identified: 'playing detective with PNDA', 'standing up to stigma', 'setting the scene to screen', 'utility of the screening tool' and 'resources required to optimise screening services'.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although the value of PNDA screening was acknowledged, health professionals require adequate training to conduct screening. Robust referral systems must be established to ensure impactful PNDA screening delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":47721,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology","volume":" ","pages":"1576-1596"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145953564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}