Khaled Mona, Corner Geoffrey W, Morris Alyssa, Havaldar Shreya, Luo Ekim, Saxbe Darby E
Department of Clinical Science, University of Southern California, 3620 McClintock Ave, USA; Department of Psychology, SGM 501, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
Department of Clinical Science, University of Southern California, 3620 McClintock Ave, USA; Department of Psychology, SGM 501, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
Biol Psychol. 2021 Apr;161:108075. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108075. Epub 2021 Mar 10.
Within-couple concordance in momentary cortisol levels ("cortisol linkage") may reflect meaningful relationship dynamics. In this study, we examined couple cortisol linkage during pregnancy, associations with negative conflict couple behavior, and subsequent postpartum depressive symptoms. Eighty-two opposite-sex couples expecting their first child engaged in a conflict discussion, provided six salivary cortisol samples over the course of a laboratory visit, and then reported on depressive symptoms six months after their baby's birth. Couples' cortisol levels were significantly positively associated with each other, indicating linkage. When mothers and fathers behaved less negatively during the prenatal conflict discussion, they exhibited stronger couple cortisol linkage. Stronger cortisol linkage also predicted fewer postpartum depressive symptoms for fathers. Negative conflict behavior did not moderate the association between cortisol linkage and postpartum depression. These findings suggest that stronger physiological associations between partners during pregnancy may reflect healthier relationship interactions and be beneficial to fathers' postpartum mental health.
瞬间皮质醇水平的夫妻间一致性（“皮质醇关联”）可能反映出有意义的关系动态。在本研究中，我们考察了孕期夫妻皮质醇关联、与夫妻负面冲突行为的关联以及随后的产后抑郁症状。82对期待第一个孩子的异性夫妻进行了一次冲突讨论，在一次实验室探访过程中提供了6份唾液皮质醇样本，然后在孩子出生6个月后报告抑郁症状。夫妻的皮质醇水平彼此显著正相关，表明存在关联。当母亲和父亲在产前冲突讨论中表现出较少的负面行为时，他们表现出更强的夫妻皮质醇关联。更强的皮质醇关联也预示着父亲产后抑郁症状较少。负面冲突行为并未调节皮质醇关联与产后抑郁之间的关联。这些发现表明，孕期伴侣之间更强的生理关联可能反映出更健康的关系互动，并且对父亲的产后心理健康有益。
