Coparenting moderates the association between maternal prenatal
depressive symptoms and infant regulatory capacity
Abstract
As a development-enhancing or a risk-promoting environment, coparenting
may shape the association between maternal prenatal depressive symptoms
and infant regulatory capacity. This study aimed to analyze the
moderator role of positive and negative coparenting in the association
between maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and infant regulatory
capacity at 3 months. A sample of 103 primiparous couples (N = 206
parents) was recruited at the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Mothers
reported on depressive symptoms at the 1st trimester of pregnancy, and
both parents reported on depressive symptoms, coparenting, and infant
regulatory capacity at 2 weeks and 3 months postpartum. Higher levels of
maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and higher levels of maternal and
paternal reports of negative coparenting at 2 weeks postpartum were
associated with lower infant regulatory capacity at 3 months. Negative
coparenting at 2 weeks postpartum accentuated the association between
maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and infant regulatory capacity at
3 months. The results support a view of negative coparenting as a
risk-promoting environment that can accentuate the association between
maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and infant regulatory capacity.
Infants in families with mothers with elevated prenatal depressive
symptoms and with high levels of negative coparenting may be at high
risk of low regulatory capacity.