Dyadic Psychopathology and Adjustment to Parenthood in Families With and Without Eating Disorder History-Findings From a Longitudinal Study

Objective: Transition to parenthood is a vulnerable period for individual health and partnership quality. This study investigated parental health and partnership after childbirth in families with and without maternal eating disorder (ED) history. We report longitudinal data on parental ED psychopathology, depressive symptoms, and adjustment, including dyadic associations.

Method: Data derived from the prospective multi-method cohort study EMKIE. Women with (n = 24) and without (n = 33) ED history and their partners took part from late pregnancy to 10 months postpartum and completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Maternal Adjustment and Maternal Attitudes Questionnaire or the paternal equivalent.

Results: ED psychopathology increased in mothers in both groups. Mothers in the ED group had more severe ED psychopathology, higher depression scores, and lower levels of adjustment to motherhood compared to the control group across all measurement points. No group differences emerged between partners, but ED psychopathology increased in partners of women with ED history over time. A negative correlation between maternal ED severity and paternal adjustment was observed in the ED group.

Discussion: After childbirth, mothers with ED history experienced mental health deterioration and adjustment difficulties and fathers struggled with paternal adjustment if their partner was affected by severe ED symptoms. These results emphasize the need for close monitoring and consistent care of women with ED during this vulnerable period and highlight adjustment needs of partners of severely affected women. Further qualitative approaches are needed to deepen the knowledge of paternal experiences during this period.