Effects of Parity and Postpartum Depression on Mother-Infant Bonding in the First Month Postpartum: A Retrospective Study

Keita Kawai; Hiroi Tomioka; Hiroki Yamada; Sho Mamiya; Azumi Kato; Akira Iwanami; Atsuko Inamoto

doi:10.7759/cureus.45585

Effects of Parity and Postpartum Depression on Mother-Infant Bonding in the First Month Postpartum: A Retrospective Study

Cureus. 2023 Sep 20;15(9):e45585. doi: 10.7759/cureus.45585. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Authors

Keita Kawai^{1

2}, Hiroi Tomioka^{1

2}, Hiroki Yamada^{1

2}, Sho Mamiya², Azumi Kato³, Akira Iwanami², Atsuko Inamoto^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Mental Care Center, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital, Kanagawa, JPN.
² Department of Psychiatry, Showa University, Tokyo, JPN.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital, Kanagawa, JPN.

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to examine the relationship between parity, postpartum depression (PPD), and mother-infant bonding (MIB) failure in the first month postpartum. Methods The study included 1,509 Japanese patients (748 primiparous and 761 multiparous). MIB was assessed using the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale Japanese version (MIBS-J), which was translated in 2012, and its subscales, including lack of affection (LA) and anger and rejection (AR). Postpartum depression (PPD) was assessed using the Japanese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and its subscales, including anxiety (ANX), anhedonia (ANH), and depression (DEP). Multiple regression analyses using interaction terms were performed to examine the association of parity with the MIBS-J and EPDS. Results Parity was significantly associated with AR. ANX and ANH were strongly associated with LA, and ANX and DEP were strongly associated with AR. The interaction term "parity×EPDS total" was significantly associated with MIBS-J total, LA, and AR scores. Conclusions Primiparas and mothers with high ANX had more negative emotions toward their children during the first month postpartum, and mothers with high ANX or ANH had less interest in their children.

Keywords: abuse prevention; mother–infant bonding; parity; perinatal mental health; postpartum depression.