Identification of psychiatric and obstetric factors influencing the formation of maternal-infant attachment during the perinatal period

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08040
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Fukui Naoki 新潟大学, 医歯学系, 准教授 (90535163)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 周産期メンタルヘルス / ボンティング / 不安 / うつ / 発達特性 / 被養育体験

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We collaborated with obstetric medical institutions across Niigata Prefecture to collect data from approximately 5,500 pregnant and postpartum women. The data collected included information on anxiety, depression, and bonding with their infants from the pregnancy period to the early postpartum period. Additionally, we gathered data on the autistic traits of the pregnant women, their relationships with their partners, their perceived parenting practices before adolescence, as well as obstetric data such as parity, delivery methods, and infant nutrition methods.
Using multivariate analysis from various perspectives, we examined how these psychiatric and obstetric factors influenced bonding with the infant from pregnancy to the early postpartum period. The findings were reported in multiple papers. Based on the insights gained from this study, we aim to develop intervention methods to improve mental health during the perinatal period.

Free Research Field

精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

妊娠期から産後にかけて（周産期）の女性において、赤ちゃんとの情緒的結びつき（ボンティング）に問題があると虐待のリスクが高まると考えられている。本研究では、周産期の女性の発達特性や両親から受けた養育体験、パートナーとの関係性、分娩歴、児への栄養方法などが、周産期の不安や抑うつ、ボンティングにどのように影響するのかを明らかにした。さらに、不安や抑うつが、ボンティングにどのように影響するのかも明らかにした。これらの知見をもとに、周産期の女性のメンタルヘルスを向上させる介入方法を構築することができると考えている。