The Effects of maternal resilience on newborn neurobehavioral outcomes

There is growing evidence that exposure to prenatal maternal stress may adversely affect fetal neurodevelopment by altering the fetal environment. In this study, we investigated whether maternal resilience can act as a moderator of the negative effects of maternal stress on newborn neurobehavioral outcomes. We interviewed 162 pregnant women about their episodic and chronic life stressors within the last 6 months. Women completed a questionnaire-based resilience measurement. Their newborns were assessed with the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) to identify specific neurobehavioral profiles related to less-than-optimal development and risk conditions. Through prior factor analysis, we identified two newborn factors - arousal and attention - for study. Mothers who reported more frequent episodic stress had newborns with lower levels of arousal and lower levels of attention. We did not identify a significant interaction effect of maternal stress by maternal resilience on either of these newborn outcomes. We provide one of the first studies examining the role of maternal resilience in the transgenerational transmission of psychopathologies. In examining the associations between maternal stress, resilience, and fetal development, we hope to provide directions for future research that emphasizes informed and holistic prenatal care.