Emotion Recognition Training Helps Expectant Mothers Recognize Baby’s Emotions

Researchers have developed a training program to help at-risk expectant mothers recognize and regulate their emotions, potentially reducing the risk of postpartum depression and bonding difficulties with their babies. The study was presented at the ECNP Congress in Barcelona and published in the journal Neuroscience Applied. 

Around one-third of mothers struggle to bond with their newborns after birth, which can lead to significant emotional distress for both mother and child. The researchers aimed to address this issue by focusing on the emotional perception of expectant mothers and providing training to enhance their emotional responses. 

The study involved 45 expectant mothers from hospitals in Copenhagen. Of these, 23 were considered at high risk of postpartum depression and bonding difficulties due to a history of depression. The remaining 22 had no history of depression and were classified as low risk. 

Initially, all participants were assessed to determine how they responded to various “baby emotions.” The high-risk group then underwent a series of computer-based training sessions designed to help them cope with challenging emotions. After two weeks of training, all participants were reassessed. 

The training aimed to change how at-risk mothers perceived and reacted to baby emotions. Specifically, it encouraged mothers to focus on how babies truly expressed themselves rather than projecting their own negative emotions onto them. The training also aimed to improve their ability to recognize and appropriately respond to baby emotions. 

The results of the study showed significant improvements in the high-risk group after training. They were better at recognizing happy baby expressions, displayed more happy facial expressions themselves, and reacted less to signs of infant distress. Importantly, those who showed the most improvement in recognizing happy baby expressions had fewer signs of depression six months after giving birth. 

The findings suggest that training expectant mothers to be more sensitive to positive baby expressions and helping them regain control over their emotional responses to infant distress may reduce the risk of postpartum depression. This not only benefits the mother’s mental health but also contributes to healthier emotional development for the baby. 

Dr. Anne Bjertrup, the lead researcher, emphasized that while these results are promising, it’s essential to interpret them cautiously as this was a preliminary study. A larger trial with a control group is currently underway to further investigate the effectiveness of this approach. 

In the European Union alone, there are over four million births annually, and a significant number of mothers and babies face bonding difficulties. Failure to bond can have serious consequences for both the mother and child, affecting their emotional well-being and family dynamics. 

Bonding challenges can arise from various factors, including hormonal changes, stress, or past traumas. These difficulties may lead to feelings of shame and inadequacy, which can exacerbate the problem. The new training program aims to address these challenges proactively. 

The study highlights a promising approach to addressing bonding difficulties and reducing the risk of postpartum depression among at-risk expectant mothers. Further research will help establish the effectiveness of this training program and its potential to improve the emotional well-being of mothers and their babies. 

Journal Information  

Anne J. Bjertrup et al, Prenatal affective cognitive training: A proof-of-concept study, Neuroscience Applied (2023), DOI: 10.1016/j.nsa.2023.101135.