The interplay of prenatal stress and prenatal depression in Chinese couples: based on the actor-partner interdependence model

ObjectivePregnant women exhibit heightened stress susceptibility and elevated depression risk during gestation, factors associated with adverse outcomes including postpartum depression. Current research predominantly examines maternal experiences while neglecting spousal influences.MethodsThe study...

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Main Authors: Xiaoqing Liu, Yuting Dong, Jungu Zhou, Shiying Lin, Minghuan Liu, Hang Zeng, Xiaowan Zhou, Yang Song, Xiaoxu Xie, Qiuping Liao, Shaowei Lin, Siying Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1607470/full
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author Xiaoqing Liu
Yuting Dong
Jungu Zhou
Shiying Lin
Minghuan Liu
Hang Zeng
Xiaowan Zhou
Yang Song
Xiaoxu Xie
Qiuping Liao
Shaowei Lin
Siying Wu
author_facet Xiaoqing Liu
Yuting Dong
Jungu Zhou
Shiying Lin
Minghuan Liu
Hang Zeng
Xiaowan Zhou
Yang Song
Xiaoxu Xie
Qiuping Liao
Shaowei Lin
Siying Wu
author_sort Xiaoqing Liu
collection DOAJ
description ObjectivePregnant women exhibit heightened stress susceptibility and elevated depression risk during gestation, factors associated with adverse outcomes including postpartum depression. Current research predominantly examines maternal experiences while neglecting spousal influences.MethodsThe study surveyed 282 Chinese married couples using validated scales to assess prenatal stress and depression. And analysed dyadic data from expectant parents using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to determine the pattern of action of prenatal stress on prenatal depression between couples by calculating the magnitude of the ratio k between the partner effect and the actor effect.ResultsThe analysis revealed k1 = 0.064, 95% CI: (-0.113, 0.260) and k2 = 0.064, 95% CI: (-0.118, 0.249). The confidence intervals for both k1 and k2 included zero, indicating an actor-only pattern in the APIM. Specifically, prenatal stress positively predicted one’s own prenatal depression but did not significantly influence the partner’s depression.ConclusionIt is crucial to encourage couples to actively manage their stress levels during the prenatal period. This can help to reduce the negative psychological effects of prenatal stress, which may lead to improved pregnancy outcomes and postnatal health.
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spelling doaj-art-3094871dce6a45eab4aced87a90c8e9f2025-08-20T11:06:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-07-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.16074701607470The interplay of prenatal stress and prenatal depression in Chinese couples: based on the actor-partner interdependence modelXiaoqing Liu0Yuting Dong1Jungu Zhou2Shiying Lin3Minghuan Liu4Hang Zeng5Xiaowan Zhou6Yang Song7Xiaoxu Xie8Qiuping Liao9Shaowei Lin10Siying Wu11Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaFujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaObjectivePregnant women exhibit heightened stress susceptibility and elevated depression risk during gestation, factors associated with adverse outcomes including postpartum depression. Current research predominantly examines maternal experiences while neglecting spousal influences.MethodsThe study surveyed 282 Chinese married couples using validated scales to assess prenatal stress and depression. And analysed dyadic data from expectant parents using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to determine the pattern of action of prenatal stress on prenatal depression between couples by calculating the magnitude of the ratio k between the partner effect and the actor effect.ResultsThe analysis revealed k1 = 0.064, 95% CI: (-0.113, 0.260) and k2 = 0.064, 95% CI: (-0.118, 0.249). The confidence intervals for both k1 and k2 included zero, indicating an actor-only pattern in the APIM. Specifically, prenatal stress positively predicted one’s own prenatal depression but did not significantly influence the partner’s depression.ConclusionIt is crucial to encourage couples to actively manage their stress levels during the prenatal period. This can help to reduce the negative psychological effects of prenatal stress, which may lead to improved pregnancy outcomes and postnatal health.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1607470/fullactor-partner interdependence model (APIM)patternsprenatal stressprenatal depressioncouples’ mental health
spellingShingle Xiaoqing Liu
Yuting Dong
Jungu Zhou
Shiying Lin
Minghuan Liu
Hang Zeng
Xiaowan Zhou
Yang Song
Xiaoxu Xie
Qiuping Liao
Shaowei Lin
Siying Wu
The interplay of prenatal stress and prenatal depression in Chinese couples: based on the actor-partner interdependence model
Frontiers in Psychiatry
actor-partner interdependence model (APIM)
patterns
prenatal stress
prenatal depression
couples’ mental health
title The interplay of prenatal stress and prenatal depression in Chinese couples: based on the actor-partner interdependence model
title_full The interplay of prenatal stress and prenatal depression in Chinese couples: based on the actor-partner interdependence model
title_fullStr The interplay of prenatal stress and prenatal depression in Chinese couples: based on the actor-partner interdependence model
title_full_unstemmed The interplay of prenatal stress and prenatal depression in Chinese couples: based on the actor-partner interdependence model
title_short The interplay of prenatal stress and prenatal depression in Chinese couples: based on the actor-partner interdependence model
title_sort interplay of prenatal stress and prenatal depression in chinese couples based on the actor partner interdependence model
topic actor-partner interdependence model (APIM)
patterns
prenatal stress
prenatal depression
couples’ mental health
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1607470/full
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