Benessere psicologico materno e temperamento infantile: rilevazione in un campione di donne italiane e nei loro bambini al terzo mese di vita

The perinatal period is a phase of relevant psychological complexity which may increase the risk of a development or a recurrence of psychological disturbances in parents. Literature highlights the potential effects of a perturbed maternal psychological state on foetal and newborn development. Among the consequences of foetal exposure to maternal states of depression or anxiety are increased inconsolable crying and sleep disturbances in the newborn, difficult temperament and motor and cognitive development delays in children while recent research points out a higher risk of depression in adolescence. The aim of the study is to investigate the possible relationship between maternal psychological state in the perinatal period and child temperament at three months post partum. It is a longitudinal observational survey in a sample of Italian, low risk nulliparous women, attending prenatal classes or ultrasound examination in the third trimester of pregnancy. Self-assessment questionnaires were administered in the third trimester of pregnancy and at three months postpartum in order to valuate maternal psychological variables (depression, anxiety, prenatal attachment, alexithymia), psychosocial variables (social support, parental bonding, stressful events), and the temperament of the baby. The study results support the hypothesis that maternal perinatal states of depression or anxiety are associated with difficult temperament of the baby. In particular, higher scores of antenatal depression and postnatal state anxiety were independent predictors of increased temperamental difficulties of the baby. The results emphasize the relevance of maternal perinatal psychological wellbeing and the role of prevention and treatment programs from the early stages of pregnancy.