The PhD defence of C.M. Bruinhof is on 8 June 2026 at 10:30 am.
The perinatal period is frequently accompanied by substantial challenges that can contribute to or trigger mental health problems. Around 1 in 5 Dutch women experience serious mental health issues during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These mental health issues have been linked to child outcomes including difficult temperament, neurobiological alterations, and later mental health problems. Despite growing evidence linking maternal mental distress to child development, the mechanisms by which maternal stress can impact child outcomes remain fairly unclear. Understanding underlying mechanisms, such as maternal hormones or caregiving behavior, is crucial for deepening knowledge and designing effective interventions. Therefore, this thesis assessed how prenatal and postnatal distress and maternal childhood experiences may affect infant and child behavioral development.