Hair cortisol in the perinatal period mediates associations between maternal adversity and disrupted maternal interaction in early infancy

Nystrom-Hansen, M., Andersen, M. S., Khoury, J. E., Davidsen, K., Gumley, A. , Lyons-Ruth, K., MacBeth, A. and Harder, S. (2019) Hair cortisol in the perinatal period mediates associations between maternal adversity and disrupted maternal interaction in early infancy. Developmental Psychobiology, 61(4), pp. 543-556. (doi: 10.1002/dev.21833) (PMID:30747450) (PMCID:PMC6545887)

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Abstract

Existing literature points to the possibility that cortisol could be one link between maternal adversity and poorer parenting quality, but most studies have examined salivary cortisol concentrations rather than hair cortisol concentrations. The current study examined hair cortisol concentration (HCC) during the third trimester of pregnancy as a mediator between maternal adversity indicators (childhood abuse, severe mental illness, symptomatic functioning) and maternal caregiving behavior at 4 months postpartum. Forty‐four women participated in the study: 30 with severe mental disorders, and 14 nonclinical controls. HCC was assessed during the third trimester of pregnancy (HCC‐P) and at 4 months postpartum (HCC‐4M). Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse were assessed by the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Questionnaire. Maternal disrupted interaction was reliably coded from mother–infant video interactions during a Still‐Face Procedure. Mediation models indicated that maternal HCC‐P and HCC‐4M mediated associations between maternal psychopathology (severe mental illness, symptomatic functioning) and maternal disrupted interaction at 4 months. Maternal HCC at 4 months also mediated associations between experienced childhood abuse and overall disrupted interaction. Our findings indicate that HCC may be a potential early biomarker for future caregiving challenges among mothers with severe mental illness and histories of childhood abuse.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The WARM study (Harder et al., 2015) received funding from the FKK Danish Council for Independent Research | Humanities [Grant Reference No: DFF – 1319–00103]; Psychiatric Research Foundation in the Region of Southern Denmark; Health Foundation of Region Zealand; NHS Research Scotland (NRS), through NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGG&C) and of the Scottish Mental Health Research Network (SMHRN).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:MacBeth, Mr Angus and Gumley, Professor Andrew
Authors: Nystrom-Hansen, M., Andersen, M. S., Khoury, J. E., Davidsen, K., Gumley, A., Lyons-Ruth, K., MacBeth, A., and Harder, S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:Developmental Psychobiology
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0012-1630
ISSN (Online):1098-2302
Published Online:12 February 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First Published:First published in Developmental Psychobiology 61(4):543-556
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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