Post-partum depression: effects on the construction of the bond of attachment and triadic relations.

Background Post partum maternal depression is the most studied issue as potential risk factor for child development and for the construction of primary affective-relational interactions. The aims of the work are: a) to study the quality of triadic (mother-father-child) interactions in families with mothers with and without post partum depression; b) the association between maternal psychological distress and different styles of attachment in the child. Method The study includes an experimental sample composed by 22 families, in which mothers show depressive symptoms of post-partum disorder (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Cox, Holden, Sagovsky, 1987), and a control sample (21 families). The family were evaluated on specific areas: triadic interactions (Lausanne Trilogue Play, LTP Fivaz-Depeursinge, Corboz-Warnery 2000), infant temperament (Infant Behavior Questionnarie, Rothbart, Garstein 2002), pattern of attachment studied in the first year of infant\u2019s life (Strange Situation Procedure, SSP, Ainsworth, Blehar, Water, Wall, 1978) and during pregnancy (Adult Attachment Interview, Geoge, Kaplan, Main, 1984). Results Results show a) any statistical differences between two sample on triadic interactions; b) an improvement in triadic interaction both in families with and without depressed mothers during the time. Also data on the part of research that involves the construction of the child\u2019s attachment bond are under study. Conclusions These early results show no differences between the two samples on triadic interactions. We hypothesize that the presence of father could be a protective factor during the family interactions as main support figure for the family