Psychology Research Digest
Journal of Family Psychology - Vol 40, Iss 6
The Journal of Family Psychology is devoted to the study of the family system from multiple perspectives and to the application of psychological methods of inquiry to that end.
Parenting knowledge moderates the association between parent and child internalizing symptoms.
Parent anxiety and depression are well-established risk factors for childhood internalizing problems. While effective parenting may buffer this relationship, the role of parenting knowledge, defined as understanding evidence-based parenting strategies, remains underexplored. Using a nationally representative sample of 1,000 parents of children aged 5–12, we examined whether parenting knowledge moderated the association between parent and child symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results indicated significant moderation effects: Among parents with lower knowledge, there were strong positive associations between parent and child internalizing symptoms, whereas among those with higher knowledge, these associations were significantly weaker. Findings held even after adjusting for key demographic covariates and sensitivity analyses. These results suggest that parenting knowledge may serve as a protective factor within families experiencing psychological distress and highlight its potential as a target for prevention and early intervention efforts. This study contributes to a growing literature on cognitive protective mechanisms in parent–child mental health dynamics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Is early childhood a developmental period for parents? Changes in parenting strengths in low-income families.
The present study examined profiles of parental strengths and changes in these strengths across the transition from toddlerhood to early childhood. Participants were 4,520 mothers with low incomes from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Latent class analysis was used to identify unique classes of parental strengths at child ages 3 and 5, and latent transition analysis was used to examine transitions in class membership across this period. Four classes of parental strengths were identified at child ages 3 and 5. Parents were characterized as “psychologically regulated with interparental strain,” “psychosocially regulated with coercive behavior,” “psychologically dysregulated,” and having “multidomain parental strengths.” Class membership was least stable for the “psychologically dysregulated” class and most stable for the “multidomain parental strengths” class. Parents’ perceived self-efficacy predicted initial parental strengths and changes in these strengths over time. The present findings provide insight into how and why parental strengths might change across the transition from toddlerhood to early childhood among low-income families and can support the development of more tailored, strengths-based interventions for this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Maternal responses to children’s negative emotions in real-world settings: A diathesis–stress approach.
Adopting a diathesis–stress framework, we examined whether maternal trait-level distress reactivity (the tendency to experience poorly regulated anxiety or discomfort in response to children’s negative emotions) interacted with the intensity of children’s negative emotions to predict the quality of mothers’ subsequent responses in real-world settings. With a sample of 53 families with a child between 3 and 5 years old (Mchild age = 50.47 months, 28 girls), we collected 16-hr audio recordings of children in the home. From the recordings, multiple emotional episodes (range = 4–10 episodes, M = 9.47, SD = 1.34) per child were selected to code for children’s negative emotional intensity and the quality of mothers’ subsequent response (i.e., support and nonsupport). We also computed the percentage of maternal positive and negative emotion words for each maternal response using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program. Mothers reported on their tendency to experience distress in response to their child’s negative emotions and general difficulties with emotion regulation. Multilevel models revealed that increases in children’s negative emotional intensity were associated with real-time increases in maternal nonsupport and decreases in maternal positive emotion talk, but only for mothers who reported high trait levels of distress reactivity. These findings emerged after controlling for maternal difficulties with emotion regulation. Findings highlight the importance of examining how maternal trait-level emotional characteristics in the parenting context interact with situational stressors (e.g., intensity of children’s negative emotional expressions) to predict specific parenting behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Mind-mindedness, parenting, and family adversity: Associations and moderation effects across three sites.
Parental mind-mindedness (MM)—defined as the propensity to view children as mental agents with their own thoughts, feelings, and intentions—is thought to shape parental behavior and affect, which are also impacted by family adversity. However, little is known about whether associations between MM, parenting, and family adversity generalize across cultural contexts. This study aimed to both address this question, and to also consider whether parental MM attenuates associations between family adversity and parenting behavior/affect. Across three sites (England, Hong Kong, mainland China), 832 parent–child dyads (Mchild age = 5.18 years; SD = 0.52) were observed remotely in a shared drawing task, with video-footage coded for parental behavior and affect. Parental MM was assessed from transcripts of parents’ descriptions of their child. Our index of family adversity comprised indicators of socioeconomic status, parental mental health, negative life events, and COVID-19 related stress. Using a single-study meta-analysis design, we found across-site generalizability of associations between parenting aspects and (a) MM (summary estimate = 0.13) and (b) family adversity (summary estimate = −0.16). By contrast, the predicted effect of MM in attenuating associations between family adversity and parenting was only partially supported. That is, the association between family adversity and parental negative affect was attenuated in the context of high MM in mainland China (but not in England or Hong Kong). For parenting behavior and affect, findings indicate both cultural similarities and contrasts and are discussed within the framework of “universality without uniformity” models. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Children’s externalizing behaviors and parenting practices in school-related tasks: Parental basic psychological needs as mediators.
Children’s externalizing behaviors can strain parents and contribute to suboptimal parenting practices (Yan et al., 2021). However, the mechanisms through which children’s behaviors shape parenting practices are not fully understood. Drawing on a child-driven effects perspective, this study aimed to examine whether the relationship between children’s externalizing behaviors and parenting practices in school-related tasks (i.e., parents’ levels of autonomy support and psychological control) was mediated by parents’ basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration with regard to their involvement in their child’s schooling. The data were collected from 1,460 parents (75% mothers; Mage = 38 years, SD = 5.5) of elementary students in Grades 1 and 2 over a 3-year period. Structural equation models with bias-corrected bootstrapped coefficients were estimated to test indirect relationships. Results revealed that externalizing behaviors (T1) were associated with decreases in autonomy support (T3) through reduced parental need satisfaction (T2) and with higher levels of psychological control (T3) through increased parental need frustration (T2). Unexpectedly, externalizing behaviors were also associated with reduced psychological control through lower parental need satisfaction. These pathways were consistent for both mothers and fathers. By examining the interplay between children’s behaviors, parents’ psychological needs, and parenting practices, this longitudinal research provides insights into the predictive factors of nurturing and supportive tendencies in parents. Practical implications for families and school practitioners are discussed, including strategies for enhancing parental need satisfaction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Problematic phone use and depression among early adolescents across time: The role of family factors.
Studies have identified an association between youth mental health symptoms and problematic phone use (PPU) defined as poorly regulated use that can disrupt functioning. However, analyses have often been cross-sectional, seldom examine early adolescents, and omit protective mechanisms that could inform mental health interventions. This study investigates (a) whether there is a longitudinal and bidirectional relationship between PPU and depressive symptoms among early adolescents, and (b) whether family factors—specifically parental acceptance, parental monitoring, and family conflict—mediate these bidirectional relationships over time. Data are from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study sample measured at the 2-year (2018–2020; 11–12 years), 3-year (2019–2021; 12–13 years), and 4-year (2020–2022; 13–14 years) follow-up waves. Cross-lagged panel analyses examined longitudinal, bidirectional associations between youth PPU, youth depression symptoms, parental acceptance, parental monitoring, and family conflict, adjusting for sex and financial adversity. Results show that PPU and depressive symptoms were positively associated within time point, yet there were no significant direct associations across time. However, significant, indirect associations emerged between PPU and depression across time through their relationship with parenting and family factors. Specifically, higher PPU was associated with lower parental monitoring, which in turn was associated with higher depressive symptoms. Moreover, higher youth depressive symptoms were associated with lower parental acceptance and higher family conflict, which were in turn associated with higher PPU. Findings show the importance of preventing disruptions in protective family factors that may otherwise intensify behavioral and mental health problems. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Family functioning and adolescent risk perception of opioid misuse: A cross-sectional study.
Adolescents with better family functioning and higher opioid risk perception are at lower risk for opioid misuse. However, studies examining the association between family functioning and opioid risk perception are lacking. We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial with adolescents aged 16–19 (n = 262) in high schools in Connecticut from 2022 to 2024. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models tested the association between family functioning and opioid misuse risk perception. Using principal component analysis, a family functioning score was derived from eight variables: cohesion, conflict, open and problematic communication, connectedness, parental monitoring, parenting practices, and family support. Higher scores indicated better family functioning. Perception of risk of harm from opioid misuse was assessed using eight items. Seventeen percent (44/262) of adolescents reported great risk from opioid misuse. The median family functioning score among adolescents perceiving great risk was 1.07 (interquartile range = 2.75), while the median score among those not perceiving great risk was 0.11 (interquartile range = 2.62; χ² = 7.27, p < .01). After adjusting for covariates, adolescents had 35% higher odds of reporting great risk of harm from opioids for every 0.5-unit increase in the family functioning score (adjusted odds ratio = 1.35, 95% CI [1.09, 1.67]). Adolescents in the top tertile of family functioning had more than 300% higher odds of reporting great risk compared to those in the lowest tertile (adjusted odds ratio = 4.26, 95% CI [1.53, 11.92]). Findings suggest that family functioning is associated with perceiving great risk of harm from opioids. Future studies are needed to uncover potential mediating/moderating factors that explain this association. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Adverse childhood experiences and adolescent mental health: The moderating role of parent–child relationships.
The aim of this study was to examine the moderating role of the mother–child and father–child relationship on the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental health problems from childhood through to early and late adolescence. ACEs can detrimentally affect mental health later in life, but protective factors—including parent–child relationship quality—can alleviate some of these effects. We used data from a large, nationally representative, longitudinal study to conduct preregistered analyses examining the relationship between ACEs experienced before 9 years of age on mental health problems in childhood (age 9), early adolescence (age 13), and late adolescence (17/18 years) among children in Ireland (n = 8,568), controlling for child gender and household social class. We also explored the role of parent–child relationship quality in moderating these associations. ACEs predicted poorer mental health in late childhood, early adolescence, and late adolescence. Mental health problems decreased over adolescence, but contrary to our hypothesis, the rate of that change was not impacted by ACEs. Mother–child but not father–child relationship quality moderated the association between ACEs and mental health. The results indicate that the association between ACEs and mental health persists through later childhood and adolescence. Interventions to support and strengthen mother–child relationships may be especially useful for the mental health of children who have experienced ACEs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Longitudinal relationships among parental–adolescent attachment, peer attachment, self-concept clarity, and hope in adolescents.
Despite growing concerns regarding the development of hope among adolescents, the longitudinal relationship between parental–adolescent attachment, peer attachment, self-concept clarity, and hope remains far from being fully understood. This three-wave longitudinal study (6 months apart) across 1 year examined the relationship between attachment with parents and peers, self-concept clarity, and hope in 1,312 adolescents (age range 12–18, Mage = 14.29, SD = 1.38; 50.2% males) by using cross-lagged panel models. The results revealed a bidirectional relationship between hope and parental attachment across all three waves. In addition, hope was found to be positively associated with subsequent peer attachment across the three waves, while peer attachment at T1 was positively linked to hope at T2. Furthermore, self-concept clarity emerged as a longitudinal mediator in the relationship between both parental and peer attachment and hope. These findings underscore the potential implications for intervention programs focused on enhancing attachment and self-concept clarity to foster increased hope among adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Fundamental o fútil? Relations between multiple familism dimensions and adolescent sleep in a Hispanic sample.
The cultural value of familism describes prioritizing family over the individual. Previous evidence supports relations between familism and health behaviors, including sleep. Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, this investigation explored associations of parent and adolescent familism and adolescent sleep. The sample included 438 Latino/a parent–adolescent dyads, with youth averaging 11.87 (SD = 0.67) years old (assigned female at birth: 49.78%) and parents averaging 40.51 (SD = 6.50) years old (female: 90.38%) with a majority identifying as Mexican or Mexican American (parents: 53.83%; youth: 54.51%). Most adolescents were born in the United States or its territories (94.28%). Parents and adolescents independently reported on multiple dimensions of familism, including familism support, familism obligation, and familism referent, which were combined to create an overall familism score. Adolescents wore Fitbit devices that measured objective parameters of sleep including minutes, efficiency, wake after sleep onset, latency, midpoint, and variability in minutes and midpoint. Multiple regression models were fit to determine associations of parent and adolescent familism dimensions with adolescent sleep. Youth obligation and parent support familism were related to more ideal sleep, while youth referent and parent obligation familism were related to less ideal sleep. While some dimensions of familism may pose a risk for poor sleep, others support ideal sleep and should be emphasized within the parent–adolescent relationship. As practitioners and clinicians incorporate cultural sensitivity into their practices and recommendations and families cultivate a supportive environment through familism values, Latino/a youth will be more likely to experience optimal sleep outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Partner validation during couple conflict predicts reduced negative affect and better psychosocial adjustment to parenthood.
The transition to parenthood represents a critical period marked by shifting interpersonal dynamics. This study examines the role of partner validation during conflict in promoting psychosocial adjustment in 93 expectant-parent couples. Couples participated in a 15-min conflict discussion during pregnancy, which was video recorded and coded for affective behaviors using the Specific Affect Coding System. Using state-space grids and grid-sequence analysis, we tracked real-time affective exchanges to identify coregulatory patterns. We found that when participants display validation toward their partner (i.e., acknowledgment, interest, communicating sincere understanding), partners are more likely to transition from negative affect to either neutral or positive affect states. Moreover, validation during conflict was positively associated with postpartum relationship quality in both partners, and men who validated their partners more frequently reported lower parenting stress. These findings underscore the importance of partner validation as a potential behavioral mechanism of interpersonal emotion regulation (i.e., coregulation), suggesting that it may facilitate better adjustment to parenthood. Results highlight the potential for interventions focused on enhancing validation behaviors in expectant couples to improve psychosocial outcomes for parents and children alike. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Religiosity and sexuality: A person- and couple-based approach.
Research suggests that viewing sex as being imbued with sacred qualities (nontheistic sexual sanctification) often links religiosity to higher sexual satisfaction. However, some have suggested that religiosity can also lead to less sexual satisfaction through negative sexual attitudes, such as guilt or inhibited passion. To understand how religiosity differs based on combinations of nontheistic sexual sanctification and negative sexual attitudes, data from three exploratory studies (Study 1: 1,615 individuals; Study 2: 1,695 individuals; Study 3: 481 mixed-gender couples) were analyzed using latent profile analysis. This approach identified groups based on levels of nontheistic sexual sanctification and negative sexual attitudes (i.e., guilt, inhibited passion). Group differences in these profiles were tested in relation to religiosity and sexual quality indicators, including satisfaction, desire, frequency, and orgasm consistency. Across all three samples, we found profiles of no guilt/yes sanctification or no inhibition/yes sanctification who tended to be high in religiosity and report positive sexual experiences. There were also several yes guilt/yes sanctification or yes inhibition/yes sanctification profiles, who also tended to be high in religiosity and have more mixed outcomes in their sexual relationships. Finally, although less prevalent, some profiles, such as yes guilt/no sanctification or yes inhibition/no sanctification emerged particularly for women, who tended to be lower in religiosity and have worse sexual outcomes overall. These results highlight the complexity of mixed positive and negative attitudes toward sexuality and how they connect to religiosity and sexual outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Correction to “Parental warmth, COVID-19 peritraumatic distress, and emotional problems among Chinese adolescents: A cross-lagged panel study” by Xiao et al. (2025).
Reports an error in "Parental warmth, COVID-19 peritraumatic distress, and emotional problems among Chinese adolescents: A cross-lagged panel study" by Tong Xiao, Xun Zhu, Qing Zeng, Ying Peng and Minqiang Zhang (Journal of Family Psychology, 2025[Sep], Vol 39[6], 735-744; see record 2026-21867-001). In the article, the analytical procedure was incorrectly described. In the Data Analysis section, the sentence “In addition, we performed exploratory factor analysis to evaluate common method bias for all items, with poor model fits indicating the absence of significant common method bias (Podsakoff & Organ, 1986)” should read “In addition, we performed confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate common method bias by testing a one-factor model, with poor model fit indicating the absence of significant common method bias (Podsakoff & Organ, 1986).” In the Preliminary Analysis section, the sentence “Subsequently, we employed exploratory factor analysis to assess common method bias” should read “Subsequently, we employed confirmatory factor analysis to assess common method bias.” This error does not affect the reported results, interpretations, or conclusions of the study. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2026-21867-001). It is well-established that parenting plays a crucial role in shaping the mental health of adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between adolescents’ perceived parental warmth, COVID-19 peritraumatic distress, and emotional problems. Participants were recruited from schools in Zhuhai, Xinyang, and Ningxiang. A total of 579 adolescents (55.4% girls, Mage = 12.83; SDage = 0.76) took part in this three-wave study conducted in January 2023 (Time 1), March 2023 (Time 2), and May 2023 (Time 3), with each wave being 2 months apart. The results from the cross-lagged panel model supported significant bidirectional relations between emotional problems and COVID-19 peritraumatic distress. In addition, the influence of maternal or paternal warmth on subsequent emotional problems was not statistically significant. The COVID-19 peritraumatic distress at Time 2 mediated the longitudinal effect of emotional problems at Time 1 on paternal warmth at Time 3. Nevertheless, COVID-19 peritraumatic distress did not significantly influence subsequent maternal warmth. These findings contribute to our understanding of the varying responses to adolescents’ stress across parental gender. Furthermore, they imply potential strategies to protect the healthy development of adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Dyadic coping and marital quality in couples facing cancer: A gendered analysis of young and middle-aged partners.
This study aimed to examine the actor and partner effects of dyadic coping (DC) on marital quality in young and middle-aged couples coping with cancer and the potential moderating role of gender at the actor and partner levels using actor–partner interdependence moderation models. A total of 229 couples completed the Quality of Marriage Index and the Dyadic Coping Inventory. The results revealed the following: (a) Both patients’ and their spouses’ positive DC interacted with their own marital quality. (b) While positive DC showed actor/partner effects unaffected by gender, negative DC exhibited gendered asymmetry: Husbands’ negative DC was associated with lower female patients’ marital quality (b = −0.216, p = .035), with wives’ negative DC having no similar effect on male patients. Our study highlighted the important role of gender in understanding the relationship between DC and marital quality, especially in the processes of young and middle-aged couples coping with cancer. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Are there perils of partialing marital conflict behaviors? Comparisons of interpersonal correlates.
Statistical adjustments (i.e., partialing) for between-partner correlations on the same variable and for correlations among multiple predictors within individuals are common in relationship research. Although useful, partialing can alter the construct validity or meaning of measured variables in ways that are typically not considered. In this study of 300 middle-aged and older couples, unadjusted, partner-partialed, partialed warmth and hostility component, and common fate model scores for observer-rated behavior during marital conflict discussions were compared using interpersonal circumplex-based spouse ratings of targets’ behavior during those discussions, as well as self-reports of marital quality (i.e., overall marital adjustment, support from spouse, conflict). Unadjusted scores for observer-rated affiliation—and its two components, warmth, and hostility—had expected associations with interpersonal circumplex-based spouse ratings and self-reports of marital quality. Compared to unadjusted scores, partner-partialing, analogous to the actor–partner interdependence model, resulted in significantly weaker associations of behavioral scores with the expected interpersonal content of spouse ratings, and weaker associations with reported marital quality. Partialing of warmth and hostility within individuals also resulted in weaker associations with spouse ratings and marital quality, and some shifts in the theme of spouse ratings. In contrast, common fate model scores had expected associations with these criteria that equaled or exceeded the magnitude for unadjusted scores. Thus, common forms of partialing in relationship research can weaken the construct validity of behavioral observation variables, and common fate model scores represent a viable alternative in some instances. Implications for the design, reporting, and evaluation of couple research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Hope for our future: Relational hope promotes relationship goal pursuit and well-being.
Hope, or positive expectancies to meet desired goals, may shape romantic couples’ goal attainment and well-being. The current work tested a new theoretical model of hope that extends beyond the intrapersonal domain to examine interpersonal hope for goals focused on a partner and relationship. In Study 1 (N = 214 couples), we tested the associations of relational hope on goal outcomes during a goal conversation in the lab and at a follow-up 3 months later. Individuals higher in relational hope viewed their goal more positively in the moment and made more progress on their goal 3 months later. In Study 2 (N = 164 couples), a 3-month longitudinal study, we tested whether hopeful individuals’ goal pursuit facilitated long-term changes in relationship well-being. Relational hope predicted long-term increases in relationship well-being (i.e., constructive conflict behavior, commitment), and these changes were mediated by viewing one’s relationship goals more positively. Results were consistent across the characteristics of relationship goals, including whether goals were shared and their degree of importance and difficulty. Across studies, results could not be fully explained by alternative explanations of optimism or relationship satisfaction, indicating that relational hope may be an added resource for couples beyond feeling generally happy or satisfied. Altogether, this work elucidates the benefits of feeling relationally hopeful for pursuing relationship goals and boosting well-being over time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Neighborhood risks, maternal parenting entropy, and child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms.
Adopting a multimethod, multi-informant, and three-wave longitudinal design, this study seeks to examine how maternal parenting entropy may operate as indirect factors between exposure to neighborhood risks and child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms over time. Participants were 235 families with a young child (at Wave 1, M child age = 2.97 years old) followed over three annual measurement occasions. We measured neighborhood risks based on Zone Improvement Plan-code-associated census data and assessed maternal parenting entropy via multiple aspects of molar-rated maternal parenting behavior within two mother–child interaction contexts. Findings indicated that exposure to greater neighborhood risks was associated with greater maternal parenting entropy over time and thereby elevated child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms; these findings emerged after accounting for the averaged level of parenting. Furthermore, context-specificity findings emerged such that only maternal parenting entropy within the “hot” but not the “cool” discipline context operated as the indirect factor between neighborhood risks and child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. These findings provided important insights into the antecedents of unpredictable parenting behavior and also highlighted important intervention targets for mitigating mental-health risks for children exposed to neighborhood risks. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>Family expectations reduce the risk of postpartum depression among mothers but not fathers.
Postpartum depression is a common and serious mental health condition affecting both mothers and fathers and is especially common among low-income and racially and ethnically minoritized groups; however, it is significantly undertreated. Birth transitions are well documented as a period of heightened risk for relationship decline, and poor relationship adjustment is a strong risk factor for postpartum depression. Relationship education has consistently been shown to reduce relationship distress, with growing evidence of positive spillover effects on both partners’ mental health, making it a promising preventive strategy. It remains unknown whether delivering relationship education to couples during pregnancy can reduce the risk of postpartum depression for mothers and/or fathers. This study addresses this gap using data from a randomized controlled trial of a community-based relationship education program, Family Expectations. Participants were 1,761 individuals (954 couples) with low-income levels who enrolled during pregnancy and provided depressive symptom data at baseline and within 1 year postpartum. At the follow-up, intervention mothers had significantly lower odds of meeting the screening cutoff for postpartum depression compared to control mothers (OR = 0.70; dCox = −0.22). Further, despite the high prevalence of fathers meeting the screening cutoff (27.9%), no significant between-group differences were found. These effects did not differ by levels of prenatal depressive symptoms for either parent. These findings suggest that community-based relationship education programs like Family Expectations have the potential to serve as a complementary approach to promoting maternal mental health alongside other established services. More research is still needed on strategies for fathers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication date: Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Access the article >>