Investigating Learning, Decision-Making, and Mental Health in Pregnancy: Insights From a UK Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Parental capacity to learn from infant responses is a fundamental component of early dyadic interactions. However, the precise cognitive processes involved in these interactions and how these processes are influenced by mental health difficulties remain unclear.

Methods

We investigated the computational basis of learning and decision-making in males and nulliparous females (Study 1) and pregnant participants enrolled in a cohort study (Study 2), using a two-armed bandit task adapted to simulate playful interactions with an infant. Participants chose between two competing bandits (i.e., two toys) with different underlying nominal probabilities for three outcomes (i.e., infant sad, neutral, and happy facial expressions). In Study 1, we manipulated the baseline emoti

SUBMITTER: Costantini I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12427613 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature