Psychosocial Factors and Parent-Infant Bonding

Abstract

Background: Parent-infant bonding plays a significant role in promoting the psychosocial well-being of the child. This study aimed to examine the relationships between family sense of coherence, marital satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and parent-infant bonding among Chinese parents at 6 weeks postpartum. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted of an intervention study for postnatal depression. The participants were Chinese parents recruited from public hospitals. Family sense of coherence, marital satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and parent-infant bonding were measured using the Family Sense of Coherence Scale, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, respectively. Path analysis was performed on data collected from the control group (n = 211) at 6 weeks postpartum. Results: Less impairment of mother-infant bonding at 6 weeks postpartum was found among mothers who had a stronger family sense of coherence and lower levels of depressive symptoms. Less impairment of father-infant bonding at 6 weeks postpartum was found among fathers who had greater marital satisfaction and family sense of coherence and fewer depressive symptoms. The mothers' levels of family sense of coherence, marital satisfaction, and parent-infant bonding were closely related to those of their partners. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of developing culturally appropriate interventions that focus on strengthening family sense of coherence, enhancing marital satisfaction, and reducing depressive symptoms in both parents to promote the quality of parent-infant bonding at early postpartum.