Associations between birth-related stressors, social reward responsiveness, and postpartum internalizing symptoms | Synapse
April 1, 2026Open Access
Associations between birth-related stressors, social reward responsiveness, and postpartum internalizing symptoms
Key Points
The study aims to explore how birth-related stressors affect reward processing and internalizing symptoms after childbirth.
Analyzed dimensions of birth-related stressors
Utilized event-related potentials (ERPs) to assess reward processing
Examined correlations with postpartum internalizing symptoms
Findings indicate significant associations between birth-related stressors and reward responsiveness
ERPs show variability linked to levels of postpartum internalizing symptoms
Supports the concept that individual differences in reward processing can impact postpartum mental health
Abstract
Results support the utility of using dimensions of birth-related stressors as well as ERPs for measuring individual differences in reward processing relevant to postpartum internalizing symptoms.