Search

Human newborns are cognitively and socially competent. Although they are sensitive to the presence of a social partner, little is known on the emergence of the ability to partake in social interaction. In this study we aimed to explore the roots of turn-taking in the neonatal period. We wished to highlight the way mothers' and newborns' vocalizations are organized in relation to each other in a face-to-face communication situation. We observed 15 mothers and their 2 to 4-day-old newborns while mothers were instructed to speak to them and infants were in a receptive behavioural state. We examined the temporal organization of maternal and newborn vocalization. Our results show that of all newborn vocalizations analysed, one third consisted of overlapping vocalizations with a maternal vocalization. Furthermore, among the 119 newborn vocalizations that followed a maternal vocalization, 68.9% occurred within the first second, and 26.9% were latched (occurring within the first 50 ms). Indeed our study suggests that a 1-s window would be the correct window to appreciate social contingency in the neonatal period. Our study provides evidence that a turn-taking ability is already present at birth suggesting that turn taking, which depends on a tight coordination between interacting individuals, is a precocious human ability.

Objective: To identify risk factors for a woman to experience pregnancy denial. Design, setting and population: A French multicentric prospective case–control study with 71 mother–infant dyads having experienced a pregnancy denial versus a control group of 71 dyads. Methods: Data were collected in the week after delivery using an observational leaflet and two psychiatric scales (MINI and QSSP). Main outcome measures: Statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding social, demographic, medical and psychiatric data. Results: Not being in a stable relationship (odds ratio [OR] 17.18, 95% CI 3.37–87.60]; P < 0.0001), not having a high school diploma (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.38]; P < 0.0001) and having a psychiatric history (OR 6.33, 95% CI 1.62–24.76; P = 0.0002) were risk factors to experience pregnancy denial, whereas being older was a protective factor (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79–0.93; P = 0.0054) (logistic regression, Wald 95% CI). Other risk factors included late declarations of pregnancy history and past pregnancy denials (case n = 7, 9.7% versus 0% in controls; P = 0.01), past pregnancy denials in the family (case n = 13, 18% versus control n = 4, 5.6%; P = 0.03), and use of a contraceptive method (75% for cases versus 7% in control; P < 0.0001), primarily an oral contraceptive (75%). Conclusion: Family or personal history of pregnancy denial should be part of the systematic anamnesis during the first visit of a patient of child‐bearing age. Further, our study points out that life context (young age, single status, socio‐economic precarity, pill‐based contraception) could be a trigger for pregnancy denial in certain women. Life context can be a trigger for pregnancy denial. Life context can be a trigger for pregnancy denial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundUniversal screening for postpartum depression is recommended in many countries. Knowledge of whether the disclosure of depressive symptoms in the postpartum period differs across cultures could improve detection and provide new insights into the pathogenesis. Moreover, it is a necessary step to evaluate the universal use of screening instruments in research and clinical practice. In the current study we sought to assess whether the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the most widely used screening tool for postpartum depression, measures the same underlying construct across cultural groups in a large international dataset.MethodOrdinal regression and measurement invariance were used to explore the association between culture, operationalized as education, ethnicity/race and continent, and endorsement of depressive symptoms using the EPDS on 8209 new mothers from Europe and the USA.ResultsEducation, but not ethnicity/race, influenced the reporting of postpartum depression [difference between robust comparative fit indexes (∆*CFI) < 0.01]. The structure of EPDS responses significantly differed between Europe and the USA (∆*CFI > 0.01), but not between European countries (∆*CFI < 0.01).ConclusionsInvestigators and clinicians should be aware of the potential differences in expression of phenotype of postpartum depression that women of different educational backgrounds may manifest. The increasing cultural heterogeneity of societies together with the tendency towards globalization requires a culturally sensitive approach to patients, research and policies, that takes into account, beyond rhetoric, the context of a person's experiences and the context in which the research is conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the study which explores the impact of culture upon the clinical presentation of abused children and intergenerational transmission of childhood maltreatment and suggests that children might separate from their families due to distress.

Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a prevalent and debilitating psychiatric condition often accompanied by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with a substantial prevalence of trauma history among affected individuals. The clinical, cognitive, and cerebral parallels shared with PTSD suggest a trauma-related etiology for BPD. Studies consistently demonstrate a reduction in hippocampal volume in individuals with BPD, echoing findings in PTSD. However, the interpretation of this shared neurobiological profile remains contentious, with ongoing debates regarding the independence of these pathologies or the potential exacerbation of diminished hippocampal volume in BPD due to concurrent PTSD. Differential impacts on hippocampal subfields across both disorders may further complicate interpretation, suggesting the volume of hippocampal subfields as a potential discriminant biomarker. This study aims to characterize the multidimensional specific and shared profiles of BPD and PTSD-related alterations, with a particular emphasis on hippocampal subfields during adolescence, a crucial period in BPD development., Methods: This study focuses on female adolescents, who are more prevalent in the BPD population. Participants are categorized into three groups: BPD, BPD with comorbid PTSD, and a control group of matched healthy individuals. Data collection encompasses clinical, cognitive, and neuroimaging domains commonly affected in both disorders, utilizing various imaging markers (including gray matter macrostructure, white matter microstructural integrity, and regional functional connectivity)., Discussion: This study examines adolescent BPD with and without comorbid PTSD on clinical, neuroimaging, and cognitive levels. It is the first to use a comprehensive multi-modal approach within the same sample. Additionally, it uniquely explores hippocampal subfield volume differences in adolescents. Analysis of the relationship between the investigated domains and the effects of PTSD comorbidity will elucidate specific and shared alteration profiles in both disorders., Trial Registration: IDRCB number 2019-A00366-51 / clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT0485274. Registered on 21/04/2021., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Adolescent parenthood is a risky situation for the mental health of young people and for the development of infants. Yet adherence to psychological care remains difficult at this stage of life, notably because of the insecurity of attachment bonds often present in these young people. The "Les Oursons" parent-baby day hospital is presented, and clinical cases involving adolescent parents are discussed. They illustrate the particular interest of a global approach to father, mother and baby, and underline the opportunities to anchor initial psychological care for each. Network and community care are also interesting avenues to explore., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Background: Prognostic factors from naturalistic treatment studies of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remain largely unknown. We aimed to identify baseline and treatment-related prognostic predictors at 1-year follow-up after Integrative Care Practices (ICPs)., Methods: Eighty-nine preschool children with severe ASD were given ICP combining nine therapeutic workshops based on children's needs. Participants were assessed at baseline and during 12 months follow-up with the Psycho-educational Profile-3-R, Children Autism Rating Scale, Parental Global Impression, and the Autistic Behaviors Scale. We assessed prognostic predictors using multivariable regression models and explored treatment ingredients influencing outcome using Classification and Regression Trees (CART)., Results: Multivariable models showed that being a child from first generation immigrant parents predicted increased maladaptive behaviors, whereas play activities had an opposite effect; severity of ASD symptoms and impaired cognitive functions predicted worse autism severity at follow-up; and lower play activities predicted worse parent impression. Regarding treatment effects, more emotion/behavioral interventions predicted better outcomes, and more communication interventions predicted lower autism severity, whereas more education and cognitive interventions had an opposite effect. CART confirmed that more hours of intervention in the emotion/behavioral domain helped classifying cases with better outcomes. More parental support was associated with decreased maladaptive behaviors. Sensorimotor and education interventions also significantly contributed to classifying cases according to outcomes but defined subgroups with opposite prognosis., Conclusion: Children who exhibited the best prognosis following ICPs had less autism severity, better cognition, and non-immigrant parents at baseline. Emotion/behavior interventions appeared key across all outcomes and should be promoted., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Peripartum depression (PPD) is a major depression disorder (MDD) episode with onset during pregnancy or within four weeks after childbirth, as defined in DSM-5. However, research suggests that PPD may be a distinct diagnosis. The goal of this study was to summarize the similarities and differences between PPD and MDD by synthesizing the current research on PPD diagnosis concerning different clinical features and give directions for improving diagnosis of PPD in clinical practice., Methods: To lay the groundwork for this narrative review, several databases were searched using general search phrases on PPD and its components of clinical diagnosis., Results: When compared to MDD, peripartum depression exhibits several distinct characteristics. PPD manifests with a variety of symptoms, i.e., more anxiety, psychomotor symptoms, obsessive thoughts, impaired concentration, fatigue and loss of energy, but less sad mood and suicidal ideation, compared to MDD. Although PPD and MDD prevalence rates are comparable, there are greater cross-cultural variances for PPD. Additionally, PPD has some distinct risk factors and mechanisms such as distinct ovarian tissue expression, premenstrual syndrome, unintended pregnancy, and obstetric complications., Conclusion: There is a need for more in-depth research comparing MDD with depression during pregnancy and the entire postpartum year. The diagnostic criteria should be modified, particularly with (i) addition of specific symptoms (i.e., anxiety), (ii) onset specifier extending to the first year following childbirth, (iii) and change the peripartum onset specifier to either "pregnancy onset" or "postpartum onset". Diagnostic criteria for PPD are further discussed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Mother-baby units offer a care environment that is conducive to better care for fathers. However, these units still need to evolve in terms of organization and attitude to care. The systematic use of pre- and postnatal interviews is an interesting approach to consider., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

The birth, the moment when the father physically discovers his baby, is essential in the development of fatherhood. Accompanying this encounter during the stay in the postnatal unit leads to a greater commitment to care on the part of the father over the following three months. It therefore seems essential to support him during these first moments, by offering him skin-to-skin contact, for example, or by showing him in practical terms how to provide nursing care for his newborn. Encouraging the development of the father-baby relationship is beneficial for the family alliance that is being built around the cradle., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)