Maternal depression during the perinatal period: the role of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and social support and its impact on infants’ negative affect
The findings clarify that a decline in mood is common in non-clinical populations during the perinatal period, with mothers high in sensitivity and mothers with lower partner support being more vulnerable to experience negative feelings. Moreover, prenatal maternal depression acts as a prenatal stressor, increasing infants' reactivity to stimuli, as reflected in heightened fear. Implications for tailored parenting programs are discussed.
Authors
- Alessandra Sperati (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1035-1368)
- Mirco Fasolo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9822-9211)
- Maria Spinelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2685-5472)
- Francesca Lionetti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6029-0121)
- Melba Emilia Persico
- Ilenia Passaquindici (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0615-267X)
- C. Di Matteo
Institutions
- University of Pavia (IT)
- University of Chieti-Pescara (IT)
- Bassano Bresciano Astronomical Observatory (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Published
- 2025-03-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1551016
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.64