Poor Sleep During Pregnancy as Risk Factor for Post-partum Stress and Mental Health

Summary

Improving maternal mental health is a worldwide health priority. Nevertheless, several scientific sources highlighted lack of empirical data which could drive clinical practice. The present project addresses psychobiological mechanisms leading to peripartum mental disorders. It focuses on one key risk factor for psychopathology, which is poor sleep continuity. The project aims to describe the link between maternal poor sleep quality and the cascade of events which may enhance vulnerability to stress and risk for mental disorders and to evaluate the efficacy of an online automated psychological prenatal intervention directed to sleep problems in preventing these negative outcomes.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age ≥ 18 yrs. old;
2. good knowledge of Italian language;
3. intention to continue pregnancy;
4. BMI ranging 18-30 (i.e., without underweight or obesity following international criteria; WHO, 2013);
5. ≤ 15th week of pregnancy at the time of recruitment.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. severe diagnosis of relevant somatic disorder;
2. smoking;
3. alcohol intake;
4. assumption of illegal drugs;

Conditions4

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