Antenatal Maternal and Paternal Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation as Predictors for Infant Colic: Distress Mechanisms

IDA alumna Zhanna Sarukhanyan presented her Master thesis at the graduation ceremony of the IDA cohort 2021-2023.

Background: Previous research has shown that prenatal parental depression and anxiety are predictors of excessive infant crying. However, factors that can decrease infant crying by reducing parental distress during pregnancy remain uninvestigated. Trait mindfulness and emotion regulation (ER) are targetable factors underlying anxiety and depression. This study aimed to investigate prenatal trait mindfulness as a protective and prenatal emotion dysregulation as a risk factor for excessive infant crying, through distress in mothers and fathers. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, expectant mothers (N=2869) were first recruited through Dutch midwifery practices, and their male partners (N = 17) were recruited through email invitations. Participants were invited to fill in an online survey assessing trait mindfulness (Three-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire), emotion dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), anxiety (the Symptom Checklist-90, anxiety subscale), and depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) during late pregnancy. Parents were contacted again at 10 weeks postpartum to assess perceived infant crying time and soothability. Results: Structural equation modelling was used to assess the model for mothers, and parallel mediation analysis was used to assess the model for fathers. We found no indirect nor direct effect of ER nor mindfulness on excessive infant crying for mothers or fathers. Furthermore, there was no significant effect of prepartum depression or anxiety symptoms on excessive infant crying for mother or fathers. Non-judging and non-reacting facets were significantly associated with emotion dysregulation, anxiety and depressive symptoms for mothers, but not for fathers. Conclusions: The existing literature is discussed in light of these findings and future directions are identified.

Keywords: infant excessive crying, mindfulness, emotion dysregulation, prenatal depression

Zhanna is now continuing her career in academia as a PhD candidate at the University of Rotterdam. Congratulations Zhanna and best of luck with your new position!