1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«The present study investigated the relationship of endogenous OT [oxytocin] levels in women during pregnancy and at 8 weeks postpartum to psychosocial stress, maternal symptoms of depression, and maternal sensitive behavior. We examined changes over time in OT levels and in depressive symptoms, and whether such changes might be related.» (p. 352)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«We tested the hypothesis that psychosocial stress moderates the association of OT with depressive symptoms and maternal sensitive behavior. We also tested the mediational hypothesis that mothers with more depressive symptoms have lower levels of endogenous OT, which in turn is associated with less sensitive maternal behavior.» (p. 352)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
L’étude est basée sur la participation de 287 femmes enceintes de la région de Montréal.

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«The results of the present study suggest that neuroendocrine factors may have a role in determining which mothers are likely to experience depressive symptoms both pre- and postpartum. Our hypothesis that psychosocial stress moderates the relationship between OT and depressive symptoms, and OT and maternal behavior, was supported. It appears that endogenous OT may act as a buffer against the deleterious effects of stress, thereby protecting high stress women from developing depressive symptoms and promoting more sensitive maternal interactive behavior. In contrast, we found no evidence of an association between OT and mood, or between OT and sensitive maternal behavior, in women with low levels of psychosocial stress.» (p. 357) «With respect to maternal interactive behavior, our results point to the role of OT in promoting sensitive maternal behavior, but only among women at high psychosocial risk. We were not able to confirm the hypothesis that OT mediates the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and sensitive interactive behavior. Moreover, we found that it was OT measured in early pregnancy that was associated with more sensitive maternal behavior among high risk women.» (p. 358)