Previous findings on peripartum anxiety are inconsistent in respect to the prevalence and course of peripartum anxiety with comorbidity of depression. Our aim was threefold: (1) to examine the course of elevated anxiety during pregnancy, immediately after childbirth, and six weeks postpartum; (2) to establish comorbidity of postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression (PPD); and (3) to examine predictors of anxiety 6 weeks postpartum. A sample of women (N=272) who were below the cut-off score for clinical depression during pregnancy were assessed in the third trimester of pregnancy, then 2 days and 6 weeks postpartum. Questionnaires on anxiety, pregnancy specific distress, stress, coping styles, social support, and depression were administered at each assessment. Obstetric data were collected from the participants' medical records. The estimated rate of high anxiety was 35% during pregnancy, 17% immediately after childbirth, and 20% six weeks postpartum, showing a decrease in anxiety levels after childbirth. Comorbidity of anxiety and PPD was 75%. Trait anxiety and early postpartum state anxiety are significant predictors of postpartum anxiety. Anxiety is a common peripartum psychological disturbance. Anxiety symptoms overlap with PPD, but not com-pletely, indicating that screening for postpartum mental difficulties should include both depression and anxiety.

The demographic characteristics, maternal parity and personal traits of pregnant women have been frequently studied predictors of fear of childbirth (FOC). The aim of this study was to examine the role of demographic variables, expected pain level, trait anxiety and anxiety sensitivity in FOC among nulliparous and multiparous women in the last trimester of pregnancy. Two-hundred pregnant women completed a booklet with questionnaires including the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), The State - Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and questions on expected labor pain and demographics. Results showed that FOC was higher amongst nulliparous women, but FOC level was not associated with other demographic variables. Different predictors were established in nulliparous and multiparous women. While higher intensity of expected labor pain and anxiety sensitivity (dimension physical concern) were significant predictors in both groups, trait anxiety was significant for the first-time mothers only. Amongst all women, anxiety sensitivity (physical concerns dimension) was identified as an important vulnerability factor for FOC. As such, the level of anxiety sensitivity, and any resulting fear or expectations of pain, should be assessed in expectant mothers by clinicians in prenatal settings. Furthermore, anxiety sensitivity should be an important target for psychological interventions aimed at managing FOC.

Despite the emerging body of literature on mother-to-infant bonding and the associated variables, there are various definitions of bonding construct. Also, there is a lack of a comprehensive concep...

Background: Mother-infant bonding is the early emotional connection between mother and infant. It is affected by some aspects of maternal mental health, infant temperament, and the quality of a couple’s relationship. Objective: This research aimed to determine the associations of the mother’s postnatal depression and anxiety symptoms, infant temperament, and the quality of the couple’s relationship with mother-infant bonding. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 241 Croatian mothers of infants aged between one month and one year (M_age = 6.34 months). The psychological instruments used in this study were: Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Infant Characteristic Questionnaire, and Perceived Quality of Marital Relationship Scale . Results: Hierarchical regression analyses showed that previous maternal depression longer than two weeks, postnatal depression and anxiety symptoms, and difficult and unpredictable infant temperament were associated with self-report of poorer mother-infant bonding. Of the examined variables, the quality of the couple’s relationship was in the lowest association with mother-infant bonding. Conclusion: Given the importance of, in particular, the maternal depression and infant temperament for poor mother-infant bonding, early intervention and the reduction of risks factors may be necessary to prevent the development of such difficulties.