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March 16, 2026Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and NeuroimagingOpen Access

Income Instability During Pregnancy Prospectively Relates to Postpartum Brain Function for Parent–Infant Bonding

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Authors

PKPilyoung KimYXYun XieGPGeneviève Patterson

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Overview

Examines how prenatal income changes impact postpartum brain responses related to bonding, suggesting mental health support is needed.

Key Points

  • To determine the effect of income instability during pregnancy on brain responses related to parent-infant bonding in the postpartum period.
  • Analyzed monthly income data and computed income-to-needs ratio, income losses, and income gains.
  • Conducted fMRI scans while participants listened to their infant's cry and a control noise.
  • Assessed prenatal mood symptoms and evaluated their relationship with income changes.
  • Income losses during pregnancy correlated with reduced brain response to infant cries in caregiving-related brain areas.
  • Income gains were linked to heightened brain activation in response to one’s own infant’s cry, suggesting stronger attachment.
  • Elevated prenatal depression and anxiety symptoms were associated with income losses.

Cite This Study

Kim et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69b79dce8166e15b153ab06ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2026.03.003
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