Maternal mental health status and temperamental traits of the baby: reciprocal influences and effects on the quality of feeding interactions

The literature has described the prevalence of depression/anxiety during and after pregnancy, and their effect on neonatal outcome. However, only a few studies have investigated the interaction of maternal depression and infant temperament, and the impact on their feeding interactions (FI). The aim of this study (funded by the Ministry for Education, University and Research, MIUR-PRIN 2013/2016-20107JZAF4) is to investigate the influence of maternal pre and postnatal depression/anxiety, as well as the temperament of the infant at three months of age, on the quality of their FI. This is an ongoing longitudinal study. Data of 50 dyads that completed the first (pregnancy: T1), and second (3 months: T2) steps are presented. T1: Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were administered. T2: Infant Baby Questionnaire (IBQ), EPDS, STAI. Videotaped FI were coded with the Feeding Scale. Results in progress show significant correlations between prenatal EPDS/STAI scores and the Affective State of the Mother subscale during feeding, as well as with the Fear IBQ-subscale. The Sadness IBQ-subscale shows significant correlations with the Interactional Conflict and the Food Refusal Behavior subscale. The assessment of a transactional model helps to clarify the reciprocal influences within the early mother-infant relationship.