Postpartum depressive symptoms and mother–infant dyadic reciprocity

Maternal postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms have the potential to negatively impact mother-infant interactions, particularly in populations experiencing contextual stress. We used a resilience perspective to examine maternal perceptions of partner support as a protective factor in the relation between PPD symptoms and mother-infant dyadic reciprocity. Low income, Mexican-origin women ( N = 322; M age = 27.80; 86% born in Mexico) reported depressive symptoms from 6 to 24 weeks postpartum and partner support at 24 weeks postpartum. Mother-infant interactions were recorded and coded for dyadic reciprocity at 24 weeks. Results indicated that partner support moderated the relation between PPD symptoms and dyadic reciprocity, such that higher PPD symptoms were associated with lower dyadic reciprocity only among mothers reporting lower partner support. Our results suggest that partner support is an important source of resilience for Mexican-origin women experiencing PPD symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)

Cognition · Depressive symptoms · Developmental psychology · Reciprocity (cultural anthropology · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Psychology · Social Psychology

• Low paternal postpartum depression buffers the association between maternal prenatal depression and preschoolers' internalizing and externalizing symptoms

  Open Access•Cláudia Silva Costa, Tiago Miguel Pinto et al.•Infant Mental Health Journal•2026

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