Background: Fear of negative evaluation (FNE) has been linked to dysfunctional parenting in childhood, but its influence during the perinatal period remains unexplored. The present study investigated whether FNE is longitudinally associated with lower perceived parenting competence and poorer child developmental outcomes as reported by mothers. It was further hypothesized that perceived criticism of one’s parenting would be related to higher levels of FNE and reduced parenting competence. Methods: A total of 1,739 pregnant women were recruited through a large internet research panel in Japan. Participants completed online surveys at four time points: during pregnancy and at 4, 26, and 56 weeks postpartum. Complete longitudinal data were available for 768 women. Measures included the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE), the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC), and single-item maternal reports of child developmental indicators across regulatory, motor, social, and physical health domains, and perceived criticism. Results: Random intercept cross-lagged panel modeling (RI-CLPM) showed a negative trait-level association between BFNE and PSOC ( r = –.49, p < .001). Higher prenatal FNE predicted an increased likelihood that the child would require follow-up or specialist referral at the one-month health check. The associations between PSOC and child developmental ratings became strongest by 56 weeks postpartum, as did the relationships between perceived criticism and FNE. Conclusion: These findings suggest that reducing FNE during the early perinatal period may strengthen parenting competence and improve maternal perceptions of child development later in the postpartum period. Trial registration: This study was preregistered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR; ID: UMIN000044079, Date of registration: April 30, 2021).

Hybrid cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), combining group and individual sessions, for treating obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) has rarely been examined in routine clinical practice. This prospective observational study preliminarily evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a hybrid CBT program implemented in Japan. The program consisted of one pre-treatment individual session, eight group sessions, and one post-treatment individual session. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed using dropout rates and written questionnaire feedback. Twenty-eight individuals (mean age = 36.1 ± 14.0 years) participated, with two dropouts. Seven participants reported that the program duration was too short, whereas the remaining participants considered it appropriate. Nineteen participants indicated their willingness to participate in a similar program. Open-ended feedback highlighted the importance of group composition and program content. Self-Rating Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores decreased at Session 8 (estimate = −2.74, p = 0.002) and post-treatment (estimate = −4.16, p < 0.001) according to a linear mixed-effects model. Reductions were also observed in Sheehan Disability Scale, State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Clinical Global Impressions Scale scores, whereas Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores showed no significant change. These findings suggest the feasibility and acceptability of the program and may inform future program development.