2024
Implementing and evaluating group interpersonal therapy for postnatal depression in Lebanon and Kenya—individually randomised superiority trial
Fonagy P, Chammay R, Ngunu C, Kumar M, Verdeli L, Allison E, Anani G, Fearon P, Fouad F, Hoare Z, Koyio L, Moore H, Nyandigisi A, Pilling S, Sender H, Skordis J, Evans R, Jaoude G, Madeghe B, Maradian S, O’Donnell C, Simes E, Truscott A, Wambua G, Yator O. Implementing and evaluating group interpersonal therapy for postnatal depression in Lebanon and Kenya—individually randomised superiority trial. Trials 2024, 25: 217. PMID: 38532432, PMCID: PMC10964704, DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08039-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPostnatal depressionInterpersonal psychotherapyChild developmental outcomesMulti-site randomised controlled trialWomen's mental health needsStandard careEfficacy of interpersonal psychotherapyMaternal postnatal depressionMental health needsMental health concernsMiddle-income countriesRandomised controlled trialsDevelopmental outcomesHigh-income countriesAntenatal servicesChildbearing womenMother-child bondingRandomised superiority trialChildren's developmental progressHealth needsOffspring of womenMaternal depressionCommunity settingsLMIC contextsInterpersonal therapy
2022
Measuring Antenatal Depressive Symptoms Across the World: A Validation and Cross-Country Invariance Analysis of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in Eight Diverse Low-Resource Settings
Murray A, Hemady C, Do H, Dunne M, Foley S, Osafo J, Sikander S, Madrid B, Baban A, Taut D, Ward C, Fernando A, Van Thang V, Eisner M, Hughes C, Fearon P, Valdebenito S, Tomlinson M, Pathmeswaran A, Walker S. Measuring Antenatal Depressive Symptoms Across the World: A Validation and Cross-Country Invariance Analysis of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in Eight Diverse Low-Resource Settings. Psychological Assessment 2022, 34: 993-1007. PMID: 36227303, DOI: 10.1037/pas0001154.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAssociations Between ADHD Symptoms and Maternal and Birth Outcomes: An Exploratory Analysis in a Multi-Country Cohort of Expectant Mothers
Murray A, Taut D, Baban A, Hemady C, Walker S, Osafo J, Sikander S, Tomlinson M, Du Toit S, Marlow M, Ward C, Fernando A, Madrid B, Van Thang V, Tuyen H, Dunne M, Hughes C, Fearon P, Valdebenito S, Eisner M. Associations Between ADHD Symptoms and Maternal and Birth Outcomes: An Exploratory Analysis in a Multi-Country Cohort of Expectant Mothers. Journal Of Attention Disorders 2022, 26: 1882-1894. PMID: 35815439, PMCID: PMC9597155, DOI: 10.1177/10870547221105064.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsADHD symptomsSignificant associationLongitudinal birth cohort studyLow birth weightBirth cohort studyGreater mental health supportLow social supportMental health difficultiesMental health supportCohort studyBirth outcomesPremature birthThird trimesterRegular screeningBirth weightUnplanned pregnancyTobacco useDepressive symptomsExpectant mothersPregnancyFetal developmentUnwanted pregnancyHealth difficultiesSymptomsAlcohol usePatterns of adverse childhood experiences and associations with prenatal substance use and poor infant outcomes in a multi-country cohort of mothers: a latent class analysis
Hemady C, Speyer L, Murray A, Brown R, Meinck F, Fry D, Do H, Sikander S, Madrid B, Fernando A, Walker S, Dunne M, Foley S, Hughes C, Osafo J, Baban A, Taut D, Ward C, Van Thang V, Fearon P, Tomlinson M, Valdebenito S, Eisner M. Patterns of adverse childhood experiences and associations with prenatal substance use and poor infant outcomes in a multi-country cohort of mothers: a latent class analysis. BMC Pregnancy And Childbirth 2022, 22: 505. PMID: 35733125, PMCID: PMC9215006, DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04839-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrenatal substance usePoor infant outcomesAdverse childhood experiencesInfant outcomesHousehold dysfunctionSubstance useLatent class analysisPrenatal drug useMother-infant dyadsLow-risk classMultilevel logistic regressionChildhood experiencesAntenatal supportHigh-risk classMiddle-income countriesStudy cohortLow birthweightPerinatal periodDrug useConclusionOur resultsChildhood adversityClass analysisLogistic regressionViolence exposureDysfunctionPerceived stress during the prenatal period: assessing measurement invariance of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) across cultures and birth parity
Katus L, Foley S, Murray A, Luong-Thanh B, Taut D, Baban A, Madrid B, Fernando A, Sikander S, Ward C, Osafo J, Marlow M, Du Toit S, Walker S, Van Vo T, Fearon P, Valdebenito S, Eisner M, Hughes C. Perceived stress during the prenatal period: assessing measurement invariance of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) across cultures and birth parity. Archives Of Women's Mental Health 2022, 25: 633-640. PMID: 35420323, PMCID: PMC9072510, DOI: 10.1007/s00737-022-01229-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAdapting and testing a brief intervention to reduce maternal anxiety during pregnancy (ACORN): report of a feasibility randomized controlled trial
O’Mahen H, Ramchandani P, King D, Lee-Carbon L, Wilkinson E, Thompson-Booth C, Ericksen J, Milgrom J, Dunkley-Bent J, Halligan S, Fearon P. Adapting and testing a brief intervention to reduce maternal anxiety during pregnancy (ACORN): report of a feasibility randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry 2022, 22: 129. PMID: 35177019, PMCID: PMC8851863, DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-03737-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnxietyAnxiety DisordersCrisis InterventionFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMindfulnessPregnancyConceptsPregnant individualsBrief interventionPrimary care servicesPublic health benefitsNew brief interventionLarge-scale trialsMaternal prenatal anxietyUsual careIntervention armPrenatal clinicsLevel of anxietyMaternal anxietyTreatment groupsMaternity servicesCare servicesElevated symptomsPrenatal anxietyFurther evaluationMore sessionsHealth benefitsInterventionPregnancyMindfulness exercisesGroup sessionsAnxiety
2021
Maternal caregiving moderates the impact of antenatal maternal cortisol on infant stress regulation
Nazzari S, Fearon P, Rice F, Molteni M, Frigerio A. Maternal caregiving moderates the impact of antenatal maternal cortisol on infant stress regulation. Journal Of Child Psychology And Psychiatry 2021, 63: 871-880. PMID: 34787327, DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13532.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInfant stress regulationInfant cortisol reactivityC-reactive proteinMaternal sensitive caregivingAntenatal stressMaternal cortisolCortisol responseInfant stress response systemsInfant cortisol regulationMaternal antenatal stressMaternal caregivingInfant cortisol responseCortisol reactivityGreater cortisol responseAntenatal exposureMaternal ageMaternal levelsInterleukin-6Late pregnancyMaternal stress signalsPostnatal depressionSensitive caregivingAnimal studiesStress regulationCortisol regulationThe impact of maternal adverse childhood experiences and prenatal depressive symptoms on foetal attachment: Preliminary evidence from expectant mothers across eight middle-income countries
Brown R, Eisner M, Walker S, Tomlinson M, Fearon P, Dunne M, Valdebenito S, Hughes C, Ward C, Sikander S, Osafo J, Madrid B, Baban A, Van Thang V, Fernando A, Murray A. The impact of maternal adverse childhood experiences and prenatal depressive symptoms on foetal attachment: Preliminary evidence from expectant mothers across eight middle-income countries. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2021, 295: 612-619. PMID: 34509077, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.066.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMaternal adverse childhood experiencesAdverse childhood experiencesPrenatal depressive symptomsMiddle-income countriesPrenatal depressionDepressive symptomsMaternal health careChildhood experiencesAntenatal careThird trimesterCohort evidenceACE exposureHigh-income countriesPostnatal periodExpectant mothersBaseline measurementsPostnatal attachmentSymptomsPath mediation analysisRelevant covariatesDepressionHealth careMothers' feelingsMothersPregnancyFirst 1,000 days: enough for mothers but not for children? Long‐term outcomes of an early intervention on maternal depressed mood and child cognitive development: follow‐up of a randomised controlled trial
Tomlinson M, Skeen S, Melendez‐Torres G, Hunt X, Desmond C, Morgan B, Murray L, Cooper P, Rathod S, Marlow M, Fearon P. First 1,000 days: enough for mothers but not for children? Long‐term outcomes of an early intervention on maternal depressed mood and child cognitive development: follow‐up of a randomised controlled trial. Journal Of Child Psychology And Psychiatry 2021, 63: 261-272. PMID: 34227113, DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13482.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChildren's cognitive developmentChild cognitive outcomesCognitive developmentCognitive outcomesMaternal moodMother-infant relationship qualityDepressed moodEarly interventionKaufman Assessment BatteryEarly mother-infant relationshipLong-term child outcomesCapacity of parentsYears of ageMother-infant relationshipMaternal depressed moodAttachment interventionsMaternal mental healthPsychological distressAssessment BatteryChild developmentChild outcomesRelationship qualityNull findingsMental healthMoodPrenatal attachment: using measurement invariance to test the validity of comparisons across eight culturally diverse countries
Foley S, Hughes C, Murray A, Baban A, Fernando A, Madrid B, Osafo J, Sikander S, Abbasi F, Walker S, Luong-Thanh B, Vo T, Tomlinson M, Fearon P, Ward C, Valdebenito S, Eisner M. Prenatal attachment: using measurement invariance to test the validity of comparisons across eight culturally diverse countries. Archives Of Women's Mental Health 2021, 24: 619-625. PMID: 33559754, PMCID: PMC8266779, DOI: 10.1007/s00737-021-01105-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMaternal-fetal attachmentMiddle-income countriesHigh-income countriesExpectant mothersProspective birth cohort studyBirth cohort studyFirst-time mothersPrenatal Attachment InventoryCohort studyThird trimesterPregnant womenMaternal healthFirst infantMaternal behaviorGroup comparisonsMean levelsMothersInfantsSingle latent factorFuture studiesPlace childrenChildrenChild outcomesSimilar informationPAI
2020
Evidence for Better Lives Study: a comparative birth-cohort study on child exposure to violence and other adversities in eight low- and middle-income countries - foundational research (study protocol)
Valdebenito S, Murray A, Hughes C, Băban A, Fernando A, Madrid B, Ward C, Osafo J, Dunne M, Sikander S, Walker S, Van Thang V, Tomlinson M, Fearon P, Shenderovich Y, Marlow M, Chathurika D, Taut D, Eisner M. Evidence for Better Lives Study: a comparative birth-cohort study on child exposure to violence and other adversities in eight low- and middle-income countries - foundational research (study protocol). BMJ Open 2020, 10: e034986. PMID: 33039982, PMCID: PMC7552842, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034986.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBiological stress markersPregnant womenStress markersDry blood spot samplesPrenatal intimate partner violenceBirth cohort studyPredictors of exposureBlood spot samplesAdverse childhood experiencesHigh-quality longitudinal dataLast trimesterLater healthEpidemiological estimatesEthical approvalHealth servicesEffective interventionsRecruiting sitesPhysical healthChildren's exposureSubstance useParticipant recruitmentPrenatal stageIntimate partner violenceSpot samplesLongitudinal studyThe biological underpinnings of perinatal depressive symptoms: A multi-systems approach.
Nazzari S, Fearon P, Rice F, Ciceri F, Molteni M, Frigerio A. The biological underpinnings of perinatal depressive symptoms: A multi-systems approach. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2020, 274: 1004-1012. PMID: 32663926, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPerinatal depressive symptomsC-reactive proteinDepressive symptomsLate pregnancyInterleukin-6Cortisol levelsHigher IL-6 levelsLower morning cortisol levelsEdinburgh Postnatal Depression ScaleAntenatal depressive symptomsStress-immune interactionsSerum interleukin-6IL-6 levelsDiurnal salivary cortisol levelsPostnatal Depression ScaleInflammatory response systemSalivary alpha-amylase levelsMorning cortisol levelsHigher depressive symptomsSalivary cortisol levelsBiological underpinningsAlpha-amylase levelsState-Trait Anxiety InventoryInflammatory biomarkersPerinatal depressionThe chronicity and timing of prenatal and antenatal maternal depression and anxiety on child outcomes at age 5
Hentges R, Graham S, Fearon P, Tough S, Madigan S. The chronicity and timing of prenatal and antenatal maternal depression and anxiety on child outcomes at age 5. Depression And Anxiety 2020, 37: 576-586. PMID: 32419282, DOI: 10.1002/da.23039.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDepression/anxietyMaternal depressionAge 5Maternal anxietyLarge prospective pregnancy cohortMaternal anxiety/depressionMaternal mental health problemsAntenatal maternal depressionProspective pregnancy cohortMaternal mental healthMother-child pairsClinical screening toolAnxiety/depressionChild outcomesMental health problemsWeeks' gestationPregnancy cohortYear postpartumPostpartum periodNumber of exposuresChild development outcomesDepression symptomsHealth problemsPoor child outcomesScreening toolNeuroendocrine and immune markers of maternal stress during pregnancy and infant cognitive development
Nazzari S, Fearon P, Rice F, Ciceri F, Molteni M, Frigerio A. Neuroendocrine and immune markers of maternal stress during pregnancy and infant cognitive development. Developmental Psychobiology 2020, 62: 1100-1110. PMID: 32232990, DOI: 10.1002/dev.21967.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInfant cognitive developmentEarly cognitive developmentCognitive developmentAnxiety symptomsCognitive outcomesInfant cognitive outcomesMaternal depressiveC-reactive proteinCognitive development scoresMaternal stressHierarchical linear regressionInterleukin-6Maternal caregivingMaternal IQMaternal antenatal stressConcurrent anxietyAlpha-amylase concentrationsDiurnal cortisolSerum interleukin-6Healthy pregnant womenSalivary cortisolDevelopment scoresDepressive symptomsCurrent studyAntenatal exposure
2018
Beyond the HPA-axis: Exploring maternal prenatal influences on birth outcomes and stress reactivity
Nazzari S, Fearon P, Rice F, Dottori N, Ciceri F, Molteni M, Frigerio A. Beyond the HPA-axis: Exploring maternal prenatal influences on birth outcomes and stress reactivity. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018, 101: 253-262. PMID: 30497017, DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.11.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAlpha-AmylasesBiomarkersBirth WeightC-Reactive ProteinFemaleFetal DevelopmentFetusGestational AgeHumansHydrocortisoneHypothalamo-Hypophyseal SystemInfant, NewbornInterleukin-6Maternal ExposureMothersPituitary-Adrenal SystemPregnancyPregnancy ComplicationsPregnancy OutcomePregnant WomenPrenatal Exposure Delayed EffectsSalivaStress, PhysiologicalStress, PsychologicalConceptsInfant birth outcomesC-reactive proteinSelf-reported symptomsBirth outcomesHeel stickStress reactivityInterleukine-6Maternal stressEdinburgh Postnatal Depression ScaleNeonatal stress reactivityIL-6 levelsInfant cortisol responseSmaller head circumferencePostnatal Depression ScaleAntenatal maternal stressDiurnal cortisol profilesImmune response systemState-Trait Anxiety InventoryInflammatory markersAntenatal factorsHealthy newbornsHPA axisPotential confoundersPregnant womenFetal growth
2016
Questioning the outcome of the Building Blocks trial
Barlow J, Barnes J, Sylva K, Fonagy P, Fearon P. Questioning the outcome of the Building Blocks trial. The Lancet 2016, 387: 1615-1616. PMID: 27116069, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30201-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAdapting and testing a brief intervention to reduce maternal anxiety during pregnancy (ACORN): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Wilkinson E, O’Mahen H, Fearon P, Halligan S, King D, Greenfield G, Dunkley-Bent J, Ericksen J, Milgrom J, Ramchandani P. Adapting and testing a brief intervention to reduce maternal anxiety during pregnancy (ACORN): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 2016, 17: 156. PMID: 27006007, PMCID: PMC4804571, DOI: 10.1186/s13063-016-1274-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnxietyBody Temperature RegulationClinical ProtocolsCognitive Behavioral TherapyEnglandFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansInfant, NewbornMidwiferyMother-Child RelationsPilot ProjectsPregnancyPregnancy ComplicationsPrenatal CarePsychiatric Status Rating ScalesPsychotherapy, BriefPsychotherapy, GroupQuality of LifeResearch DesignSleepTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeConceptsAntenatal anxietyBrief interventionMethods/designThis studyNumber of participantsRoutine antenatal carePost-intervention outcome measuresMeeting eligibility criteriaMother-child bondingParticipants meeting eligibility criteriaSymptoms of anxietyBackgroundNational guidelinesAntenatal careAntenatal servicesControlled TrialsIntervention armPerinatal populationFeasibility trialOutcome measuresMaternal anxietyNumber of sessionsCognitive-behavioral principlesEligibility criteriaDesignThis studyInfant sleepExpectant mothers
2010
The effects of maternal postnatal depression and child sex on academic performance at age 16 years: a developmental approach
Murray L, Arteche A, Fearon P, Halligan S, Croudace T, Cooper P. The effects of maternal postnatal depression and child sex on academic performance at age 16 years: a developmental approach. Journal Of Child Psychology And Psychiatry 2010, 51: 1150-1159. PMID: 20840504, DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02259.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCognitive functioningMother-child interactionStructural equation modellingPostnatal depressionChild sexChildren's cognitive functioningMaternal depressionPoor cognitive functioningEarly school yearsNon-depressed mothersCognitive developmentMaternal postnatal depressionPND mothersAcademic outcomesDevelopmental approachMaternal interactionAcademic performanceGCSE performanceEquation modellingControl childrenSchool yearFunctioningEarly interventionExam performanceAge 16 years