Stressful Life Events, Sleep, Mood, and Depression in Mothers and Fathers During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Objective: The birth of a baby is a time of great change. Changes in parents’ mood and sleep are considerably higher during pregnancy and after the birth of the child, which can put a strain on the health of parents and infants. This study aimed to examine the associations between Stressful Life Events (SLEs), sleep and mood in mothers and additionally in fathers, who are understudied. Methods: Data came from 341 families enrolled in the Prospective Longitudinal Interdisciplinary Study of Child Development (PLIS). Associations between parents’ SLEs and sleep characteristics during pregnancy, their mood during pregnancy and their depression at month 9 postpartum were investigated using correlational and mediation analyses. Results: Mothers’ (n = 328) SLEs in the 12 months preceding the first trimester of pregnancy were associated with: several measures of sleep disturbances during the first trimester; mood during the third trimester; and depression during the postpartum period. These associations were not significant in fathers (n = 318). Mothers’ sleep characteristics mediated the relationship between their SLEs and depressed mood. Most associations were weak to moderate. Conclusion: Pregnant women’s stressful experiences in the 12 months preceding the first trimester of pregnancy are risk factors for concurrent and later mood disturbances. This link is mediated by sleep disturbances. Appropriate sleep hygiene and sleep-improving interventions may help reduce mood disturbances during pregnancy and postpartum period. KEYWORDS: Stressful Life Events; Sleep; Mood; Depression; Postpartum Depression.