title: Differences in parent regulation beliefs and maternal postnatal depressive symptoms in early weeks.
abstract: Postnatal depression is consistently associated with couple relationship qualities. Substantial infant care requirements in early weeks may highlight differences in parenting beliefs between mother and father. We calculated difference scores in parenting beliefs (disparity) in a community sample of 209 parent dyads. Contrary to previous research regarding 'disagreement' which could be interpreted as discord, independently measured disparity was not associated with maternal depressive symptoms. Coparenting interventions should promote respectful negotiation rather than resolution of differences.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Counselling and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: w.cockshaw@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Wendell D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Cockshaw
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Counselling and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muscat
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Counselling and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Patricia L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Obst
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Counselling and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thorpe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Coparenting; Postnatal depression; Relationship adjustment