Longitudinal associations between parental mental health and the duration of visual attention and facial expressions during at-home parent-infant interactions: a UK birth cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Parental mental health difficulties have been associated with variation in parent-infant interactions, including facial expressions and visual attention. Most prior research has relied on clinical samples and structured observational settings, limiting ecological validity and generalisability to population-level variation.

Aims

This study aimed to (i) characterise the duration of facial expressions and visual attention behaviours in parents and infants during naturalistic interactions at home, and (ii) explore associations between parental depressive symptoms and personality difficulties-measured prenatally or preconception-and these observed behaviours.

Methods

Interactions were recorded at home using synchronised head-mounted cameras worn by parents and i

SUBMITTER: Costantini I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12597733 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature