Your new experience awaits. Try the new design now and help us make it even better

PERSPECTIVE article

Front. Psychiatry, 20 August 2025

Sec. Perinatal Psychiatry

Volume 16 - 2025 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1650453

This article is part of the Research TopicPerinatal mental health: Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and FearView all 15 articles

Cognitive biases: potential behavioral marker for future development of postpartum depression and childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder

Vanessa Cywiak,,,*Vanessa Cywiak1,2,3,4*Ido Solt,Ido Solt5,6Nur Givon-Benjio,Nur Givon-Benjio3,4Eyal Fruchter,Eyal Fruchter2,7Hadas Okon-Singer,,Hadas Okon-Singer3,4,8
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
  • 2Department of Psychiatry, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
  • 3School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
  • 4The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
  • 5Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
  • 6Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
  • 7Research Unit, Psychiatric Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
  • 8Max Planck Institute of Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany

Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Childbirth Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CB-PTSD) are psychiatric conditions that cause significant distress. Yet despite their high prevalence and decades of research, knowledge about causal cognitive mechanisms that may assist in predicting or preventing these conditions is still missing. One characteristic of PPD and CB-PTSD that may contribute to their early prevention is the existence of cognitive biases concerning future parenting. Cognitive biases have been shown to play an important role in the etiology of various other psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, suggesting they might have a similar role in PPD and CB-PTSD. From a theoretical perspective, understanding the associations between cognitive biases, PPD, and CB-PTSD may lead to novel theoretical models and research avenues. Additionally, understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying PPD and CB-PTSD has several important clinical implications, such as early detection, preventative care, and developing individually tailored cognitive therapies focusing on these specific biases.

Introduction

Approximately 10–20% of women experience Postpartum Depression (PPD)* or Childbirth-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CB-PTSD) after giving birth* (1, 2). Both conditions are associated with significant psychological, health, and familial challenges (3, 4) including child neglect and, in extreme cases, maternal suicide or infanticide (46). Women with high-risk pregnancies are more vulnerable (7, 8). Moreover, 8% to 25% of fathers or partners also experience PPD symptoms (9). Beyond the individual suffering of mothers123+; and partners, PPD and CB-PTSD are associated with problems in attachment between mothers and their newborns (10, 11). Children of mothers with PPD are also more likely to exhibit psychological and cognitive-emotional difficulties during adolescence (12).

This paper proposes that cognitive biases may serve as early markers, or warning signs, for the potential development of PPD and CB-PTSD. Identifying such markers could contribute to the prevention of these disorders. To support this proposal, the paper provides a brief review of relevant literature, explores the role of cognitive biases as early indicators, and outlines directions for future research.

Postpartum depression and CB-PTSD: comorbidity, prevalence, and symptoms

PPD is categorized as a mood disorder and a subtype of major depressive disorder (MDD), with symptoms typically emerging within the first four weeks after childbirth (1, 13). Common symptoms include depressed mood, fatigue, anhedonia, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, loneliness, irritability, anxiety, feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and reduced self-confidence (14). The prevalence of PPD ranges from 10% to 15% in the general postpartum population (6, 15) and rises to 27%–44% among women with high-risk pregnancies (8). A history of depression is one of the most robust predictors of PPD (16). Other risk factors include low social support (17), socioeconomic disadvantage, unplanned pregnancy (1), poor sleep quality (18), perceived low quality of life (19), older maternal age, low relationship satisfaction (20), excessive worry about motherhood during pregnancy (21), acute pain following childbirth (22), self-reported pain during pregnancy (23) and “maternity blues”, a temporary condition experienced during the first days postpartum, may increase the likelihood of developing PPD (24, 25).

Several biological mechanisms have been implicated in the development of PPD. Lower levels of salivary cortisol have been observed in mothers, fathers, and infants within families affected by PPD (26). Mothers with PPD are more likely to exhibit lower levels of the GG genotype versus the A-carrying variant of the oxytocin receptor gene, a hormone associated with affective touch and lower empathic engagement with their babies (27). Gonadal steroid fluctuations also appear to play a significant role in the onset of postpartum mood disturbances (28).

Another condition during the postpartum period is CB-PTSD, classified within the category of trauma- and stress-related disorders, and follows the same diagnostic criteria as PTSD, when the traumatic event must be the childbirth experience (1, 13). According to DSM-V (13), PTSD symptoms include intrusive re-experiencing of the event, avoidance of reminders or places associated with the trauma, and heightened physiological arousal (29). In the context of CB-PTSD, affected individuals may experience distressing and intrusive memories or nightmares about childbirth, irritability, hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, emotional withdrawal, and feelings of guilt. They may also avoid discussing or thinking about the labor or birth experience (3032).

The prevalence of CB-PTSD in community samples ranges from 1% to 6% (33), with significantly higher rates among women who experienced high-risk pregnancies, 9.9% for those with clinically significant symptoms, and up to 11.9% for those with subclinical symptoms (34). Several psychological and social risk factors have been identified, including perceiving the birth experience as traumatic or negative, intense fears for one’s own health or the baby’s health during labor (2), and a history of childhood sexual abuse or domestic violence (1).

Additional physiological and obstetric variables have been linked to the development of CB-PTSD. These include prolonged labor (lasting more than six hours), postpartum hemorrhage (35), and severe perineal tearing (36). Women who experienced hyperemesis gravidarum reported significantly higher CB-PTSD symptom levels compared to those with either no or milder forms of pregnancy-related nausea, with effects lasting up to two years postpartum (37). Despite this evidence, results are mixed, and other studies found no significant associations between CB-PTSD and obstetric factors such as type or duration of labor, severity of hemorrhage, low APGAR scores, or breastfeeding challenges (38).

Research consistently demonstrates a strong relationship between PPD and CB-PTSD, including shared risk factors and high comorbidity (1, 3941). Evidence further shows that PPD and CB-PTSD are associated with postpartum anxiety (15, 42, 43) and with maternal bonding and attachment (44).

Preventive treatment of postpartum depression and CB-PTSD

Similar to other psychiatric disorders, there is growing medical and scientific interest in shifting toward preventive care and early detection of PPD and CB-PTSD, particularly by identifying behavioral and physiological markers (45, 46). Currently, both conditions are often diagnosed only after symptoms have become pronounced. Although maternal depression screening is recommended during routine pediatric care, many women underreport symptoms during pediatric visits (47). This underreporting can result in missed referrals, especially when relying on current screening thresholds (47). The delay in diagnosis is often influenced by sociocultural pressures, such as the desire to appear as a “good” mother, internalized stigma around mental health (47), guilt or shame about not feeling joy after childbirth, and societal expectations of motherhood (40).

Compounding this issue, research has identified multiple sociodemographic, physiological, psychological, environmental, and pregnancy-related risk factors for PPD and CB-PTSD (48, 49), such as older age, lack of sleep, psychiatric history, high anxiety, and lack of social support (1, 18, 20, 39, 40). While each self-report survey may be a quick and cost-effective screening tool, the implementation of these questionnaires lacks standardized protocols. Comprehensive screening requires multiple questionnaires, adequate clinical training, and structured referral pathways, elements frequently missing in routine care (47, 48, 50, 51). Moreover, CB-PTSD is often overlooked during postpartum screening, due to its symptom overlap with PPD and its lower public and clinical visibility (39). To address these gaps, researchers recommend the development and validation of comprehensive prenatal screening tools that capture a broader range of risk factors, while also improving objectivity and medical relevance (47, 48, 51).

These obstacles underscore the urgency of identifying early behavioral markers that can support timely and targeted interventions. In this context, cognitive biases hold promise as early indicators, not only to enhance early detection, but also to guide preventive cognitive interventions in pregnant individuals at increased risk for PPD and CB-PTSD.

Cognitive biases associated with postpartum depression and CB-PTSD

Cognitive biases refer to systematic distortions in the processing of emotional information. These can include biased attention toward threatening stimuli, distorted interpretation of ambiguous situations, altered memory for negative events, or negative expectations about the future (52, 53). Such biases are known to contribute to the onset and maintenance of various psychiatric conditions (54), including depression (55, 56), anxiety disorders (56, 57), phobias (58, 59), PTSD (60, 61), and eating disorders (62).

Accumulating research demonstrates that specific cognitive biases characterize PPD and CB-PTSD (Table 1). For example, mothers with PPD show greater attention bias toward images of infants compared to adults (6365). Depressed pregnant women also disengage more quickly from distressed infant faces than from non-distressed ones, a pattern not observed in non-depressed women (64, 66). Notably, this tendency to stronger attentional bias towards distressed infant faces was associated with more positive mother–infant bonding reported after birth (66).

Table 1
www.frontiersin.org

Table 1. Summary of papers described in this article on cognitive biases and processes.

In terms of interpretation bias, the tendency is not yet clear. Mothers with PPD tend to rate neutral infant faces as sad (63) and are more sensitive to negative facial expressions in infants compared to happy ones (63, 67, 68). While Gil et al. [2011 (63)] found no significant impact of depressive symptoms on the recognition of positive emotions (e.g., smiling infants) among mothers with PPD three days after delivery, Arteche et al. [2011 (69)] reported that women with PPD more than 10 months postpartum did not differ from nonpregnant women in the recognition of sad infant faces, and were less accurate in identifying expressions of happiness in infant faces. The same tendencies were reported for postpartum women with anxiety disorder (see (67) for more information, or Table 1 in this manuscript).

Research suggests that women with a history of PPD may continue to exhibit cognitive vulnerabilities beyond the postpartum period, particularly during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (28). During this phase, they tend to show more negative self-evaluations and display memory and attentional biases toward negative information, even when not currently experiencing depressive or mood symptoms (28). As noted above, a history of MDD (16, 70) or bipolar disorder (68) increases the risk of developing PPD. PPD can also emerge in women without a prior psychiatric history (40); however, different cognitive bias profiles have been observed in women with and without a prior history of MDD or bipolar disorder (68, 71).

Finally, reduced accuracy in recognizing happy infant faces may signal impaired attunement to a newborn’s needs. This reduced responsiveness may negatively affect early mother-infant bonding, contributing to relational difficulties and potentially hindering the child’s emotional development (66, 67, 69).

Can cognitive biases predict future development of postpartum depression and CB-PTSD?

Despite the importance of identifying cognitive biases in perinatal mental health, only a few studies have investigated biases during pregnancy and related them to the development of postpartum disorders. One study found that stronger negative reactions to a crying infant during pregnancy significantly predicted later development of PPD, even after controlling for subclinical depressive symptoms (68). Another study used an emotional Stroop task and showed that depressed pregnant women undergoing treatment exhibited greater emotional interference from negatively valenced obstetric words (e.g., “pain,” “vacuum extraction,” “brain injury”) than either untreated depressed women or healthy pregnant controls (71). Notably, participants who later developed PPD showed faster reaction times to both positive and negative obstetric words, suggesting a generalized attentional bias to emotional obstetric information.

Recent findings further support the predictive value of interpretation biases. When asked to assess the emotional states of infants in short videos and audio clips, pregnant women who interpreted infant distress more negatively were more likely to develop depressive symptoms within the first two months postpartum (72). Moreover, harsher evaluations of the most distressing infant cries were particularly predictive of higher depressive symptom levels, but the emotional reactivity to the video had higher predictive validity. These results suggest that even adjusting for prenatal depressive symptoms, prior depression history, income, financial stress, and childhood trauma, the association of pregnant women with PPD is still stronger in this study, and negative interpretation biases may be at elevated risk for developing PPD (68, 72).

Research investigating the predictive utility of cognitive biases for CB-PTSD remains limited compared to that for PPD. Much of the available literature focuses on women with prior PTSD or those who experienced trauma during pregnancy, rather than on trauma stemming specifically from the childbirth experience. Nevertheless, a few studies provide important insights. One study used an implicit, computerized Stroop task to assess attention bias in women with subclinical symptoms of CB-PTSD. Attention bias away from labor-related words was associated with higher post-traumatic stress and more negative childbirth experiences (73). Additional research explored more explicit, reflective measures related to memory and narrative processing. For example, studies have examined how writing about the childbirth experience, memory distortions of labor pain, and cultural perceptions of unplanned or traumatic births may influence the risk of developing CB-PTSD (7478).

These studies provide preliminary evidence that cognitive biases may serve as early indicators of vulnerability to PPD and CB-PTSD. By examining both correlational and causal links between specific biases and postpartum psychopathology, research can begin to define cognitive profiles for individuals at elevated risk. Recent developments in computational psychiatry further support this approach. Studies using machine learning (ML) and nonlinear analytic methods have successfully predicted symptoms of anxiety and depression based on cognitive bias patterns (52, 79, 80), as an addition to the traditional analysis. Recent studies demonstrate the potential of ML to improve predictive accuracy. For example, a natural language processing (NLP) model analyzing women’s childbirth narratives achieved 85% sensitivity and 75% specificity in identifying CB-PTSD symptoms (81). Similarly, a population-based study applying Random Forest models to predict PPD reported an AUC of 0.884, indicating high diagnostic accuracy (82), with implied sensitivity and specificity often ranging between 70–90% and 60–85%, depending on the dataset and thresholds used.

These advances highlight the potential to identify and differentiate several variables specifically related to PPD and CB-PTSD, revealing a complex relationship in the data without assuming the relationships (predictor or predicted) (48), and enabling more accurate predictions for the population through actual or retrospective data (83).

Cognitive control difficulties and their relationship with postpartum depression and CB-PTSD

Cognitive biases are commonly associated with reduced cognitive control over emotional processing and reactions (54). Cognitive control is essential for flexible, goal-directed behavior, particularly in uncertain situations. It enables individuals to override automatic responses, inhibit irrelevant information, shift attention, and update working memory, skills that help allocate mental resources and prioritize task-relevant information (84, 85).

In the context of PPD and CB-PTSD, evidence suggests impairments in executive functions. For instance, Hampson et al. (86) demonstrated working memory decline in pregnant women with depressive symptoms; Pio de Almeida et al. (14) reported deficits in working and short-term memory in depressed parents; and Messinis et al. (87) found that women with postnatal depression performed worse on tasks involving learning and attention-switching compared to controls. Despite these findings, research on cognitive control in postpartum psychopathology remains limited and warrants further exploration.

Some studies have investigated interventions targeting these cognitive processes. Di Blasio et al. (41) showed that writing about the childbirth experience significantly reduced PPD symptoms 96 hours after delivery, with further reductions in both PPD and CB-PTSD, observed following a similar intervention three months postpartum.

DeJong et al. (85) proposed a cognitive control model linking PPD, rumination, parenting, and child development. They suggest that women with PPD tend to focus on negative information, which then shapes ruminative thinking. Supporting this, Denis and Luminet (88) found that rumination predicted PPD symptoms and maternal self-esteem at one month postpartum, while neuroticism predicted outcomes at one year.

Ford et al. (89) adapted a general PTSD cognitive model to CB-PTSD, including social support as a potential predictor. Their model explained 23% of the variance in CB-PTSD symptoms at three weeks postpartum, with no improved prediction when social support was added to the model. However, at three months postpartum, social support, partially mediated by post-traumatic cognitions, improved the model’s predictive power (16% variance explained), suggesting that social support becomes more critical over time. These findings affirm that CB-PTSD over time is predicted by the influence of early social support.

Peñacoba et al. (90) examined cognitive variables linked to PPD were positively associated with neuroticism and negatively associated with extroversion. Worries and an external locus of control influenced both anxiety and PPD, whereas expectations about childbirth affected only anxiety. Additionally, anxiety during pregnancy emerged as a strong independent predictor of PPD.

Optimism was associated with fewer depressive symptoms during pregnancy and at two weeks postpartum, while self-esteem consistently predicted lower depression levels across the six months. Self-esteem may serve as a more stable protective factor against early postpartum depression (91, 92). Similarly, women with poor or moderate coping strategies were more likely to report symptoms of CB-PTSD compared to those with effective coping mechanisms (93). Cultural context also shapes coping behaviors such as accepted social support, emotion-focused coping, or religious coping. Importantly, higher self-esteem among postpartum women was linked to increased use of positive coping strategies (51, 92). Moreover, women who demonstrated higher levels of positive coping during the third trimester were less likely to develop postpartum depression (51).

Collectively, these models underscore the potential role of executive control with the effects of the personality traits in PPD and CB-PTSD. However, more research is required to reach firm conclusions and establish gold-standard theoretical models.

Summary and future directions

Accumulating evidence proposes that cognitive biases may serve as behavioral markers for early diagnosis and prevention of PPD and CB-PTSD. Few studies have explored attentional biases across genders (9, 94). None have examined differences between biological and non-biological caregiver parents.

Systematic studies comparing cognitive biases in large cohorts of pregnant women are scarce. Additionally, existing research often focuses on isolated cognitive biases or risk factors, neglecting how different factors might interact. The combined cognitive bias hypothesis (95), originally proposed in the context of depression, suggests that biases interact. Applying this integrated perspective to PPD and CB-PTSD may clarify their underlying mechanisms. Supporting this, negative interpretation bias predicted higher levels of fear of childbirth, whereas attention and memory biases showed no significant associations (96).

Cognitive bias measures may offer an implicit and objective alternative to traditional self-report tools, which are prone to subjective biases (97, 98). These tasks are low-cost, easy to administer, and require no special equipment, making them accessible and practical for early screening and preventive care globally. When used alongside self-reports, they may improve diagnostic accuracy. Emerging evidence also suggests that cognitive interventions, such as attention bias modification and cognitive bias modification (99, 100), could alleviate symptoms of PPD and CB-PTSD by targeting maladaptive thought patterns (biased attention-orienting or negative interpretations). These interventions leverage neuroplasticity to improve emotional and cognitive outcomes and provide a direct method for testing the causal role of cognitive mechanisms in symptom change (101).

Although mixed findings exist [for discussion, see (102)]. Cognitive training has shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression (56, 103), anxiety (100), social anxiety (104), PTSD (105), rumination (106), and schizophrenia (107). However, its use in PPD and CB-PTSD remains underexplored. Hirsch et al. (108) conducted the first training with pregnant women (>16 weeks gestation) reporting high worry. Their cognitive bias modification for interpretation training promoted positive interpretations of ambiguous scenarios, reduced negative thought intrusions, and induced a more positive interpretation bias, supporting a causal link between interpretation bias and worry during pregnancy.

Conclusions

Cognitive biases may play a key role in the development and maintenance of PPD and CB-PTSD. They may function as early warning signs for their development, offering potential avenues for early identification and prevention. Growing evidence indicates that distinct cognitive biases are characteristic of both disorders. Future research should expand on this evidence, focusing on diverse populations, integrated bias models, and longitudinal designs to refine theoretical understanding and enhance clinical practice.

Data availability statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Author contributions

VC: Project administration, Methodology, Investigation, Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft. IS: Funding acquisition, Resources, Writing – review & editing. NG-B: Writing – review & editing, Conceptualization, Methodology. EF: Writing – review & editing, Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Resources. HO-S: Project administration, Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – review & editing, Supervision.

Funding

The authors declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Data Science Research Center, Dr. Mike Divon, and the Haber Wolf Trust for their funding assistance.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Generative AI statement

The author(s) declare that Generative AI was used in the creation of this manuscript. This manuscript was reviewed using generative AI tools to support grammar and flow. Specifically, OpenAI’s ChatGPT (model: GPT-4, version: June 2025, source: https://chat.openai.com) and Grammarly (Grammarly Inc., https://www.grammarly.com) were used during the editing process. The content edited using these tools was thoroughly reviewed by the authors to ensure factual accuracy and originality. Neither tool is listed as an author, and both were used under ethical publication practices.

Any alternative text (alt text) provided alongside figures in this article has been generated by Frontiers with the support of artificial intelligence and reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, including review by the authors wherever possible. If you identify any issues, please contact us.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Footnotes

  1. ^ In this paper, we refer to the term women because currently, the research relevant to the topic under discussion has only been conducted on women.
  2. ^ *This paper uses the terms postpartum depression (‘PPD’) and postnatal depression (‘PND’) interchangeably. Both terms refer to depression that is delivery-related, in line with recent literature. The same is true for the use of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (‘PP-PTSD’) and childbirth PTSD (‘CB-PTSD’).
  3. ^ +;In this paper, the term 'mother' refers to the partner or caregiver who predominantly fulfills the traditional maternal role.

References

1. Liu Y, Zhang L, Guo N, and Jiang H. Postpartum depression and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder: prevalence and associated factors. BMC Psychiatry. (2021) 21:1–11. doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03432-7

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

2. Dekel S, Stuebe C, and Dishy G. Childbirth induced posttraumatic stress syndrome: A systematic review of prevalence and risk factors. Front Psychol. (2017) 8:560. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00560

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

3. Brummelte S and Galea LAM. Postpartum depression: Etiology, treatment and consequences for maternal care. Horm Behav. (2016) 77:153–66. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.08.008

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

4. Jacques N. Prenatal and postnatal maternal depression and infant hospitalization and mortality in the first year of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. (2019) 243:201–8. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.055

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

5. Shi P, Ren H, Li H, and Dai Q. Maternal depression and suicide at immediate prenatal and early postpartum periods and psychosocial risk factors. Psychiatry Res. (2018) 261:298–306. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.12.085

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

6. Dodson KD. “Mental illness, infanticide, and neonaticide.,” The encyclopedia of women and crime. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc (2019) p. 1–3. doi: 10.1002/9781118929803.ewac0349

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

7. Zadeh MA, Khajehei M, Sharif F, and Hadzic M. High-risk pregnancy: Effects on postpartum depression and anxiety. Br J Midwifery. (2012) 20:104–13. doi: 10.12968/bjom.2012.20.2.104

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

8. Sade S, Sheiner E, Wainstock T, Hermon N, Salem SY, Kosef T, et al. Risk for depressive symptoms among hospitalized women in high-risk pregnancy units during the covid-19 pandemic. J Clin Med. (2020) 9:1–11. doi: 10.3390/JCM9082449

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

9. Koch S, De Pascalis L, Vivian F, Meurer Renner A, Murray L, and Arteche A. Effects of male postpartum depression on father–infant interaction: The mediating role of face processing. Infant Ment Health J. (2019) 40:263–76. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21769

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

10. Śliwerski A, Kossakowska K, Jarecka K, Świtalska J, and Bielawska-Batorowicz E. The effect of maternal depression on infant attachment: A systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. (2020) 17:2675. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17082675

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

11. Dekel S, Thiel F, Dishy G, and Ashenfarb AL. Is childbirth-induced PTSD associated with low maternal attachment? Arch Womens Ment Health. (2019) 22:119–22. doi: 10.1007/s00737-018-0853-y

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

12. Gollan J, Rosebrock L, Hoxha D, and Wisner K. Changes in attentional processing and affective reactivity in pregnancy and postpartum. Neurosci Neuroecon. (2014) 3:99–109. doi: 10.2147/nan.s35912

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

13. American Psychiatric Association DS, Association AP. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. 5th ed. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association (2013).

Google Scholar

14. Pio De Almeida LS, Jansen K, Köhler CA, Pinheiro RT, Da Silva RA, and Bonini JS. Working and short-term memories are impaired in postpartum depression. J Affect Disord. (2012) 136:1238–42. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2011.09.031

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

15. Dikmen-Yildiz P, Ayers S, and Phillips L. Depression, anxiety, PTSD and comorbidity in perinatal women in Turkey: A longitudinal population-based study. Midwifery. (2017) 55:29–37. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2017.09.001

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

16. Silverman ME, Reichenberg A, Savitz DA, Cnattingius S, Lichtenstein P, Hultman CM, et al. The risk factors for postpartum depression: A population-based study. Depress Anxiety. (2017) 34:178–87. doi: 10.1002/da.22597

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

17. Cho H, Lee K, Choi E, Cho HN, Park B, Suh M, et al. Association between social support and postpartum depression. Sci Rep. (2022) 12:3128. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07248-7

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

18. Tikotzky L. Postpartum maternal sleep, maternal depressive symptoms and self-perceived mother–infant emotional relationship. Behav Sleep Med. (2016) 14:5–22. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2014.940111

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

19. Abbaszadeh F, Kafaei M, Masoudi Alavi N, Bagheri A, Sadat Z, and Karimian Z. Relationship between quality of life and depression in pregnant women. Nurs Midwifery Stud. (2013) 1:193–7. doi: 10.5812/nms.8518

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

20. Meifen W, Xiaoyi L, Bin F, Hao W, Chunbo Q, and Zhang W. Poor sleep quality of third-trimester pregnancy is a risk factor for postpartum depression. Med Sci Monitor. (2014) 20:2740–5. doi: 10.12659/MSM.891222

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

21. Osborne LM, Voegtline K, Standeven LR, Sundel B, Pangtey M, Hantsoo L, et al. High worry in pregnancy predicts postpartum depression. J Affect Disord. (2021) 294:701–6. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.009

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

22. Eisenach JC, Pan PH, Smiley R, Lavand’homme P, Landau R, and Houle TT. Severity of acute pain after childbirth, but not type of delivery, predicts persistent pain and postpartum depression. Pain. (2008) 140:87–94. doi: 10.1016/J.PAIN.2008.07.011

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

23. Huang Y, Alvernaz S, Kim SJ, Maki P, Dai Y, and Peñalver Bernabé B. Predicting prenatal depression and assessing model bias using machine learning models. Biol Psychiatry Global Open Sci. (2024) 4:1–11. doi: 10.1016/J.BPSGOS.2024.100376

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

24. Reck C, Stehle E, Reinig K, and Mundt C. Maternity blues as a predictor of DSM-IV depression and anxiety disorders in the first three months postpartum. J Affect Disord. (2009) 113:77–87. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2008.05.003

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

25. Rezaie-Keikhaie K, Arbabshastan ME, Rafiemanesh H, Amirshahi M, Ostadkelayeh SM, and Arbabisarjou A. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of the maternity blues in the postpartum period. JOGNN - J Obstetric Gynecologic Neonatal Nurs. (2020) 49:127–36. doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2020.01.001

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

26. Apter-Levy Y, Feldman M, Vakart A, Ebstein RP, and Feldman R. Impact of maternal depression across the first 6 years of life on the child’s mental health, social engagement, and empathy: the moderating role of oxytocin. Am J Psychiatry. (2013) 170:1161–8. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12121597

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

27. Oyetunji A and Chandra P. Postpartum stress and infant outcome: A review of current literature. Psychiatry Res. (2020) 284:112769. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112769

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

28. Bloch M, Helpman L, Gilboa-Schechtman E, and Fried-Zaig I. Cognitive processing of emotional information during menstrual phases in women with and without postpartum depression: differential sensitivity to changes in gonadal steroids. Arch Womens Ment Health. (2022) 25:753–62. doi: 10.1007/s00737-022-01235-7

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

29. Flory JD and Yehuda R. Comorbidity between post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder: alternative explanations and treatment considerations. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. (2015) 17:141–50. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.2/jflory

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

30. Yehuda R, Hoge CW, McFarlane AC, Vermetten E, Lanius RA, Nievergelt CM, et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Nat Rev Dis Primers. (2015) 1:15057. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.57

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

31. Bayri Bingol F and Demirgoz Bal M. The risk factors for postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Perspect Psychiatr Care. (2020) 56:851–7. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12501

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

32. Thiel F, Ein-Dor T, Dishy G, King A, and Dekel S. Examining symptom clusters of childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. (2018) 20:1–8. doi: 10.4088/PCC.18m02322

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

33. Garthus-Niegel S, Horsch A, Ayers S, Junge-Hoffmeister J, Weidner K, and Eberhard-Gran M. The influence of postpartum PTSD on breastfeeding: A longitudinal population-based study. Birth. (2018) 45:193–201. doi: 10.1111/birt.12328

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

34. Shlomi Polachek I, Dulitzky M, Margolis-Dorfman L, and Simchen MJ. A simple model for prediction postpartum PTSD in high-risk pregnancies. Arch Womens Ment Health. (2016) 19:483–90. doi: 10.1007/s00737-015-0582-4

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

35. Froeliger A, Deneux-Tharaux C, Seco A, and Sentilhes L. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms 2 months after vaginal delivery. Obstetrics gynecology. (2022) 139:63–72. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004611

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

36. Baumann S, Staudt A, Horesh D, Eberhard-Gran M, Garthus-Niegel S, and Horsch A. Perineal tear and childbirth-related posttraumatic stress: A prospective cohort study. Acta Psychiatr Scand. (2023). doi: 10.1111/acps.13595

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

37. Kjeldgaard HK, Vikanes Å, Benth JŠ, Junge C, Garthus-Niegel S, and Eberhard-Gran M. The association between the degree of nausea in pregnancy and subsequent posttraumatic stress. Arch Womens Ment Health. (2019) 22:493–501. doi: 10.1007/s00737-018-0909-z

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

38. Gankanda WI, Gunathilake IAGMP, Kahawala NL, and Ranaweera AKP. Prevalence and associated factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a cohort of Srilankan post-partum mothers: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. (2021) 21:626–33. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-04058-z

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

39. Dekel S, Ein-Dor T, Dishy GA, and Mayopoulos PA. Beyond postpartum depression: posttraumatic stress-depressive response following childbirth. Arch Womens Ment Health. (2020) 23:557–64. doi: 10.1007/s00737-019-01006-x

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

40. Pampaka D, Papatheodorou SI, AlSeaidan M, Al Wotayan R, Wright RJ, Buring JE, et al. Postnatal depressive symptoms in women with and without antenatal depressive symptoms: results from a prospective cohort study. Arch Womens Ment Health. (2019) 22:93–103. doi: 10.1007/s00737-018-0880-8

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

41. Di Blasio P, Miragoli S, Camisasca E, Di Vita AM, Pizzo R, and Pipitone L. Emotional distress following childbirth: an intervention to buffer depressive and PTSD symptoms. Eur J Psychol. (2015) 11:214–32. doi: 10.5964/ejop.v11i2.779

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

42. Haagen JFG, Moerbeek M, Olde E, van der Hart O, and Kleber RJ. PTSD after childbirth: A predictive ethological model for symptom development. J Affect Disord. (2015) 185:135–43. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.06.049

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

43. Zhou Y, Shi H, Liu Z, Peng S, Wang R, Qi L, et al. The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms of pregnant and non-pregnant women during the COVID-19 epidemic. Transl Psychiatry. (2020) 10:319–26. doi: 10.1038/s41398-020-01006-x

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

44. Handelzalts JE, Levy S, Molmen-Lichter M, Ayers S, Krissi H, Wiznitzer A, et al. The association of attachment style, postpartum PTSD and depression with bonding- A longitudinal path analysis model, from childbirth to six months. J Affect Disord. (2021) 280:17–25. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.068

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

45. Arango C, Díaz-Caneja CM, McGorry PD, Rapoport J, Sommer IE, Vorstman JA, et al. Preventive strategies for mental health. Lancet Psychiatry. (2018) 5:591–604. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30057-9

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

46. Neumann PJ, Sanders GD, Russell LB, Siegel JE, and Ganiats TG. Cost-effectiveness in health and medicine. 2nd Ed Oxford Univ Press. (2016). doi: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190492939.001.0001

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

47. White LK, Perlstein S, Gorgone A, Himes MM, Kornfield SL, Shanmugan S, et al. Evidence for missed cases of postpartum depression based on paediatric clinical care screenings. Br J Psychiatry. (2025) 226:421–3. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2025.81

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

48. Hoorelbeke K, Fried EI, and Koster EHW. A comprehensive network analysis of biopsychosocial factors associated with postpartum depression. J Affect Disord. (2025) 390:119808. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.119808

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

49. Chan SJ, Ein-Dor T, Mayopoulos PA, Mesa MM, Sunda RM, McCarthy BF, et al. Risk factors for developing posttraumatic stress disorder following childbirth. Psychiatry Res. (2020) 290:113090. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113090

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

50. Kantrowitz-Gordon I. Internet confessions of postpartum depression. Issues Ment Health Nurs. (2013) 34:874–82. doi: 10.3109/01612840.2013.806618

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

51. Yu M, Gong W, Taylor B, Cai Y, and Xu D. (Roman). Coping styles in pregnancy, their demographic and psychological influences, and their association with postpartum depression: A longitudinal study of women in China. Int J Environ Res Public Health. (2020) 17:3654. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17103654

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

52. Richter T, Fishbain B, Richter-Levin G, and Okon-Singer H. Machine learning-based behavioral diagnostic tools for depression: advances, challenges, and future directions. J Pers Med. (2021) 11:957. doi: 10.3390/jpm11100957

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

53. Haselton MG, Nettle D, and Murray DR. “The evolution of cognitive bias.,” The handbook of evolutionary psychology. Wiley (2015) p. 968–87. doi: 10.1002/9781119125563.evpsych241

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

54. Aue T, Okon-Singer H, and Aue. Cognitive biases in health and psychiatric disorders: Neurophysiological foundations. Okon-Singer H, editors. Elsevier Academic Press (2020). doi: 10.1016/C2018-0-00401-6

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

55. Badura-Brack AS, Naim R, Ryan TJ, Levy O, Abend R, Khanna MM, et al. Effect of attention training on attention bias variability and PTSD symptoms: Randomized controlled trials in Israeli and U.S. Combat Veterans. Am J Psychiatry. (2015) 172:1233–41. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14121578

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

56. Cristea IA, Kok RN, and Cuijpers P. Efficacy of cognitive bias modification interventions in anxiety and depression: Meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. (2015) 206:7–16. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.146761

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

57. Dalgleish T, Taghavi R, Neshat-Doost H, Moradi A, Canterbury R, and Yule W. Patterns of processing bias for emotional information across clinical disorders: A comparison of attention, memory, and prospective cognition in children and adolescents with depression, generalized anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. (2003) 32:10–21. doi: 10.1207/S15374424JCCP3201_02

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

58. Abado E, Aue T, Pourtois G, and Okon-Singer H. Expectancy and attention bias to spiders: Dissecting anticipation and allocation processes using ERPs. Psychophysiology. (2024) 61:e14546. doi: 10.1111/psyp.14546

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

59. Givon-Benjio N, Oren-Yagoda R, Aderka IM, and Okon-Singer H. Biased distance estimation in social anxiety disorder: A new avenue for understanding avoidance behavior. Depress Anxiety. (2020) 37:1243–52. doi: 10.1002/da.23086

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

60. Fani N, Tone EB, Phifer J, Norrholm SD, Bradley B, Ressler KJ, et al. Attention bias toward threat is associated with exaggerated fear expression and impaired extinction in PTSD. Psychol Med. (2012) 42:533–43. doi: 10.1017/S0033291711001565

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

61. Wald I, Shechner T, Bitton S, Holoshitz Y, Charney DS, Muller D, et al. Attention bias away from threat during life threatening danger predicts PTSD symptoms at one-year follow-up. Depress Anxiety. (2011) 28:406–11. doi: 10.1002/da.20808

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

62. Rowlands K, Grafton B, Cerea S, Simic M, Hirsch C, Cruwys T, et al. A multifaceted study of interpersonal functioning and cognitive biases towards social stimuli in adolescents with eating disorders and healthy controls. J Affect Disord. (2021) 295:397–404. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.013

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

63. Gil S, Teissèdre F, Chambres P, and Droit-Volet S. The evaluation of emotional facial expressions in early postpartum depression mood: A difference between adult and baby faces? Psychiatry Res. (2011) 186:281–6. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2010.06.015

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

64. Pearson RM, Cooper RM, Penton-Voak IS, Lightman SL, and Evans J. Depressive symptoms in early pregnancy disrupt attentional processing of infant emotion. Psychol Med. (2010) 40:621–31. doi: 10.1017/S0033291709990961

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

65. Flanagan TJ, White H, and Carter BG. Differential impairments in emotion face recognition in postpartum and nonpostpartum depressed women. J Affect Disord. (2011) 128:314–8. doi: 10.1016/J.JAD.2010.07.021

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

66. Pearson RM, Lightman SL, and Evans J. Attentional processing of infant emotion during late pregnancy and mother-infant relations after birth. Arch Womens Ment Health. (2011) 14:23–31. doi: 10.1007/s00737-010-0180-4

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

67. Webb R and Ayers S. Cognitive biases in processing infant emotion by women with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in pregnancy or after birth: A systematic review. Cognit Emot. (2015) 29:1278–94. doi: 10.1080/02699931.2014.977849

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

68. Bjertrup AJ, Jensen MB, Schjødt MS, Parsons CE, Kjærbye-Thygesen A, Mikkelsen RL, et al. Cognitive processing of infant stimuli in pregnant women with and without affective disorders and the association to postpartum depression. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. (2021) 42:97–109. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.10.006

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

69. Arteche A, Joormann J, Harvey A, Craske M, Gotlib IH, Lehtonen A, et al. The effects of postnatal maternal depression and anxiety on the processing of infant faces. J Affect Disord. (2011) 133:197–203. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2011.04.015

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

70. Silverman ME, Reichenberg A, Lichtenstein P, and Sandin S. Is depression more likely following childbirth? A population-based study. Arch Womens Ment Health. (2019) 22:253–8. doi: 10.1007/s00737-018-0891-5

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

71. Edvinsson Å, Skalkidou A, Hellgren C, Gingnell M, Ekselius L, Willebrand M, et al. Different patterns of attentional bias in antenatal and postpartum depression. Brain Behav. (2017) 7:1–11. doi: 10.1002/brb3.844

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

72. Bjertrup AJ, Væver MS, and Miskowiak KW. Prediction of postpartum depression with an online neurocognitive risk screening tool for pregnant women. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. (2023) 73:36–47. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.04.014

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

73. Dale-Hewitt V, Slade P, Wright I, Cree M, and Tully C. Patterns of attention and experiences of post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth: an experimental study. Arch Womens Ment Health. (2012) 15:289–96. doi: 10.1007/s00737-012-0290-2

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

74. Simonelli MC, Gennaro S, O’Connor C, and Doyle LT. Women construct their birth narratives and process unplanned cesarean births through storytelling. J Obstetric Gynecologic Neonatal Nurs. (2021) 50:30–9. doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2020.09.157

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

75. Callister LC. Making meaning: women’s birth narratives. J Obstetric Gynecologic Neonatal Nurs. (2004) 33:508–18. doi: 10.1177/0884217504266898

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

76. Thiel F, Berman Z, Dishy GA, Chan SJ, Seth H, Tokala M, et al. Traumatic memories of childbirth relate to maternal postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder. J Anxiety Disord. (2021) 77:102342. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102342

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

77. Bartal A, Jagodnik KM, Chan SJ, Babu MS, and Dekel S. Identifying women with postdelivery posttraumatic stress disorder using natural language processing of personal childbirth narratives. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. (2023) 5:100834. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100834

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

78. Santoro E, Stagni-Brenca E, Olivari MG, Confalonieri E, and Di Blasio P. Childbirth narratives of women with posttraumatic stress symptoms in the postpartum period. J Obstetric Gynecologic Neonatal Nurs. (2018) 47:333–41. doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2018.02.009

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

79. Richter T, Fishbain B, Fruchter E, Richter-Levin G, and Okon-Singer H. Machine learning-based diagnosis support system for differentiating between clinical anxiety and depression disorders. J Psychiatr Res. (2021) 141:199–205. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.06.044

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

80. Richter T, Fishbain B, Markus A, Richter-Levin G, and Okon-Singer H. Using machine learning-based analysis for behavioral differentiation between anxiety and depression. Sci Rep. (2020) 10:16381. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-72289-9

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

81. Bartal A, Jagodnik KM, Chan SJ, and Dekel S. AI and narrative embeddings detect PTSD following childbirth via birth stories. Sci Rep. (2024) 14:8336. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54242-2

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

82. Shin D, Lee KJ, Adeluwa T, and Hur J. Machine learning-based predictive modeling of postpartum depression. J Clin Med. (2020) 9:2899. doi: 10.3390/jcm9092899

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

83. Kessler RC, van Loo HM, Wardenaar KJ, Bossarte RM, Brenner LA, Cai T, et al. Testing a machine-learning algorithm to predict the persistence and severity of major depressive disorder from baseline self-reports. Mol Psychiatry. (2016) 21:1366–71. doi: 10.1038/mp.2015.198

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

84. Mackie MA, Van Dam NT, and Fan J. Cognitive control and attentional functions. Brain Cognit. (2013) 82:301. doi: 10.1016/J.BANDC.2013.05.004

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

85. DeJong H, Fox E, and Stein A. Rumination and postnatal depression: A systematic review and a cognitive model. Behav Res Ther. (2016) 82:38–49. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2016.05.003

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

86. Hampson E, Phillips S-D, Duff-Canning SJ, Evans KL, Merrill M, Pinsonneault JK, et al. Working memory in pregnant women: Relation to estrogen and antepartum depression. Horm Behav. (2015) 74:218–27. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.07.006

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

87. Messinis L, Vlahou CH, Tsapanos V, Tsapanos A, Spilioti D, and Papathanasopoulos P. Neuropsychological functioning in postpartum depressed versus nondepressed females and nonpostpartum controls. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. (2010) 32:661–6. doi: 10.1080/13803390903468863

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

88. Denis A and Luminet O. Cognitive factors and post-partum depression: What is the influence of general personality traits, rumination, maternal self-esteem, and alexithymia? Clin Psychol Psychother. (2018) 25:359–67. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2168

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

89. Ford E, Ayers S, and Bradley R. Exploration of a cognitive model to predict post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth. J Anxiety Disord. (2010) 24:353–9. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.01.008

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

90. Peñacoba-Puente C, Marín-Morales D, Carmona-Monge FJ, and Velasco Furlong L. Post-partum depression, personality, and cognitive-emotional factors: A longitudinal study on spanish pregnant women. Health Care Women Int. (2016) 37:97–117. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2015.1066788

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

91. Fontaine KR and Jones LC. Self-esteem, optimism, and postpartum depression. J Clin Psychol. (1997) 53:59–63. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(199701)53:1<59::AID-JCLP8>3.0.CO;2-Q

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

92. Motofelea N, Motofelea AC, Tamasan IF, Hoinoiu T, Ioana JTM, Vilibić M, et al. Predictive validity of screening tools and role of self-esteem and coping in postpartum depression risk. Diagnostics. (2025) 15:1152. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15091152

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

93. van Heumen MA, Hollander MH, van Pampus MG, van Dillen J, and Stramrood CAI. Psychosocial predictors of postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder in women with a traumatic childbirth experience. Front Psychiatry. (2018) 9:348. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00348

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

94. Bohne A, Nordahl D, Lindahl ÅAW, Ulvenes P, Wang CEA, and Pfuhl G. Emotional infant face processing in women with major depression and expecting parents with depressive symptoms. Front Psychol. (2021) 12:experience Postpartum Depression657269. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.657269

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

95. Everaert J, Tierens M, Uzieblo K, and Koster EHW. The indirect effect of attention bias on memory via interpretation bias: Evidence for the combined cognitive bias hypothesis in subclinical depression. Cognit Emot. (2013) 27:1450–9. doi: 10.1080/02699931.2013.787972

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

96. Beal EM, Slade P, and Krahé C. Cognitive processing biases associated with fear of childbirth. J Anxiety Disord. (2023) 99:102761. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102761

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

97. Zhang XC, Kuchinke L, Woud ML, Velten J, and Margraf J. Survey method matters: Online/offline questionnaires and face-to-face or telephone interviews differ. Comput Hum Behav. (2017) 71:172–80. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.02.006

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

98. Johnson S, Seaton SE, Manktelow BN, Smith LK, Field D, Draper ES, et al. Telephone interviews and online questionnaires can be used to improve neurodevelopmental follow-up rates. BMC Res Notes. (2014) 7:1–8. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-219

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

99. Shani R, Tal S, Derakshan N, Cohen N, Enock PM, McNally RJ, et al. Personalized cognitive training: Protocol for individual-level meta-analysis implementing machine learning methods. J Psychiatr Res. (2021) 138:342–8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.03.043

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

100. Hallion LS and Ruscio AM. A meta-analysis of the effect of cognitive bias modification on anxiety and depression. Psychol Bull. (2011) 137:940–58. doi: 10.1037/a0024355

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

101. Derakhshan N. Attentional control and cognitive biases as determinants of vulnerability and resilience in anxiety and depression. In: Cognitive biases in health and psychiatric disorders: neurophysiological foundations (Elsevier: Academic Press) (2020). p. 261–74. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-816660-4.00012-X

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

102. Richter T, Shani R, Tal S, Derakshan N, Cohen N, Enock PM, et al. Machine learning meta-analysis identifies individual characteristics moderating cognitive intervention efficacy for anxiety and depression symptoms. NPJ Digit Med. (2025) 8:65–0. doi: 10.1038/s41746-025-01449-w

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

103. Joormann J, Waugh CE, and Gotlib IH. Cognitive bias modification for interpretation in major depression. Clin psychol Sci. (2015) 3:126–39. doi: 10.1177/2167702614560748

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

104. Enock PM, Hofmann SG, and McNally RJ. Attention bias modification training via smartphone to reduce social anxiety: A randomized, controlled multi-session experiment. Cognit Ther Res. (2014) 38:200–16. doi: 10.1007/s10608-014-9606-z

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

105. Wald I, Bitton S, Levi O, Zusmanovich S, Fruchter E, Ginat K, et al. Acute delivery of attention bias modification training (ABMT) moderates the association between combat exposure and posttraumatic symptoms: A feasibility study. Biol Psychol. (2017) 122:93–7. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.01.005

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

106. Cohen N, Mor N, and Henik A. Linking executive control and emotional response. Clin psychol Sci. (2015) 3:15–25. doi: 10.1177/2167702614530114

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

107. Perez VB, Tarasenko M, Miyakoshi M, Pianka ST, Makeig SD, Braff DL, et al. Mismatch negativity is a sensitive and predictive biomarker of perceptual learning during auditory cognitive training in schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology. (2017) 42:2206–13. doi: 10.1038/npp.2017.25

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

108. Hirsch CR, Meeten F, Newby JM, O’Halloran S, Gordon C, Krzyzanowski H, et al. Looking on the bright side reduces worry in pregnancy: Training interpretations in pregnant women. Clin Psychol Europe. (2021) 3:1–17. doi: 10.32872/cpe.3781

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

Keywords: postpartum depression, postnatal depression, childbirth post-traumatic stress disorder, cognitive biases, preventative care, cognitive training, attention bias, interpretation bias

Citation: Cywiak V, Solt I, Givon-Benjio N, Fruchter E and Okon-Singer H (2025) Cognitive biases: potential behavioral marker for future development of postpartum depression and childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Front. Psychiatry 16:1650453. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1650453

Received: 19 June 2025; Accepted: 30 July 2025;
Published: 20 August 2025.

Edited by:

Laura Orsolini, Marche Polytechnic University, Italy

Reviewed by:

Nadica Motofelea, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania

Copyright © 2025 Cywiak, Solt, Givon-Benjio, Fruchter and Okon-Singer. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Vanessa Cywiak, dmFuZWN5d2lha0BnbWFpbC5jb20=

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.