Longitudinal Associations Between Sleep and Mental Health in the Perinatal Period

Mental health issues like depression and anxiety are common during pregnancy and after childbirth. This research followed mothers for across pregnancy and after birth to understand how these symptoms change over time and how they relate to sleep, for both mothers and babies. This thesis found that poor sleep and impacted mood often go hand in hand. Sleep problems during pregnancy and after birth were linked to greater depression and anxiety. This thesis also looked at sleep in Australia, Korea, and the U.S.A, finding cross-country differences. Overall, better sleep may help improve mental health, and early support can benefit both mothers and babies.