title: A preliminary study to assess the impact of maternal age on stress-related variables in healthy nulliparous women.
abstract: Childbearing age has progressively increased in industrialized countries. The impact of this delay on motherhood, however, requires further research.
  
  
  
  The study sample included a prospective cohort of healthy nulliparous pregnant women aged between 18 and 40 years (n=148) assessed at 38 weeks gestation (Time#1, T1), 48h after birth (Time#2, T2), and 3 months after birth (Time#3, T3). The effect of age on psychological, biological, and social variables was evaluated. Maternal psychological symptoms in terms of depression and anxiety were assessed at T1-T3; and parenting stress at T3. Stress biomarkers (cortisol, α-amylase) were determined in mothers at T1-T3. Questionnaires addressing social functioning (i.e., family functioning, maternal attitudes, and social support) were conducted at T3. Bayesian additive models were used to analyze the data.
  
  
  
  Depressive symptoms showed a steep increase starting from 35 years of age at T1 and an U-shaped relationship with a minimum around 30 years old at T3. The same results were observed for parenting stress. Cortisol levels increased sharply from 30 years of age at T3. Family functioning, maternal attitudes, and social support improved moderately from 30 years of age.
  
  
  
  Prenatal depressive symptoms were higher in older women, but postpartum depressive symptoms and parenting stress increased in both younger and older women. Nevertheless, cortisol levels just increased in older ages at postpartum. In contrast, social functioning (family functioning, maternal attitudes, and social support) improved with age. We conclude that these social advantages may compensate for other disadvantages of delayed childbearing (i.e., depressive symptoms, parenting stress, and high cortisol level).
authors.affiliation: Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain; University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Blanco
authors.affiliation: University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monferrer
authors.affiliation: University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grimaldos
authors.affiliation: Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hervás
authors.affiliation: Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain; University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERSAM, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Vicent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Balanzá-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Division of Obstetrics, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Diago
authors.affiliation: Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Division of Neonatology, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Máximo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vento
authors.affiliation: Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: m.consuelo.chafer@uv.es.
authors.forename: Consuelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cháfer-Pericás
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D008423:Maternal Age; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Advanced maternal age; Cortisol; Parenting; Stress; α-Amylase