The impact of childhood maltreatment on paternal antenatal bonding: the mediating role of antenatal depression
The findings suggest that emotional neglect and abuse during childhood may hinder expectant fathers' emotional bonding with their unborn child by making them more vulnerable to antenatal depression. Emotional neglect, in particular, emerged as a significant risk factor. These results emphasise the importance of screening expectant fathers for early adversity and depressive symptoms, in order to support paternal engagement and infant well-being.
Authors
- Leonardo Fazio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4000-974X)
- Martina Riolo
- Susan Garthus‐Niegel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7472-674X)
- Carmela Mento (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4611-3740)
- Omar Carlo Gioacchino Gelo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2480-046X)
- Giorgio Falgares (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4387-7393)
- Claudia Guarneri
- Antonio Maiorana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7122-6136)
- Giulia Costanzo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2202-820X)
- Maria Rita Infurna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5527-7929)
- Raffaella Mineo
- Eleonora Bevacqua
- Christine Rini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3169-3626)
- Linda A. Antonucci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7919-7402)
- Jada Sottile
Institutions
- Sigmund Freud Privatuniversität Wien (AT)
- University of Messina (IT)
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NO)
- University of Salento (IT)
- MSH Medical School Hamburg – University of Applied Sciences and Medical University (DE)
- Azienda di Rilievo Nazionale ed Alta Specializzazione (IT)
- Ospedale San Giuseppe (IT)
- University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT)
- Technische Universität Dresden (DE)
- University of Palermo (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMC Psychology
- Published
- 2025-12-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03784-9
- Primary Topic
- Child Abuse and Trauma
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00