Vulnerability risk factors and physiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between stressor exposure and mental health outcomes during the perinatal period

Cintora, Patricia

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113118 Copy

Description

Title

Vulnerability risk factors and physiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between stressor exposure and mental health outcomes during the perinatal period

Author(s)

Cintora, Patricia

Issue Date

2021-06-07

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Laurent, Heidemarie

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Laurent, Heidemarie

Committee Member(s)

• Gobin, Robyn
• Ridlon, Jason
• Raetzman, Lori
• Heller, Wendy

Department of Study

Neuroscience Program

Discipline

Neuroscience

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

gut-brain-axis, Interpersonal stress, Interpersonal violence, Post-Partum Depression

Abstract

Stress can confer risk for psychological disorders through intersecting neurophysiological pathways. Although numerous vulnerability-risk factors have been identified to increase risk for stress-related disorders, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between stressor exposure and mental health outcomes during sensitive time periods, such as the perinatal, remain to be elucidated. Therefore, the goal of my dissertation is to further elucidate the psychosocial stress conditions driving perinatal mental health by focusing on the impact of both historical and concurrent stressor exposure as well as gut microbiota changes. Chapter 2 investigates the moderating effect of historical stressors (e.g., early adversity) on responsiveness of postpartum symptoms to a concurrent interpersonal stressor (e.g., relationship conflict). Chapter 3 investigates whether prenatal stress exposures are associated with alterations of the gut microbiota and whether dysbiosis could promote the development of psychological symptoms across the postpartum. Chapter 4 provides a discussion merging both studies. Results reveal that it may be important to address stressors even at levels below threshold values typically used to determine risk in a given screening or treatment setting based on historical and current stress context for a given woman. In addition, our study supports further investigation of the role of diversity within gut microbial communities for identifying women at most risk for stress-related perinatal mental health problems. Such findings could further guide efforts to prevent and treat stress-related disorders through pre/probiotic therapies regulating gut microbiota. Taken together, these two studies highlight the ongoing mental health risks women face as they navigate stressful life transitions and help to inform screening and intervention efforts across such transitions.

Graduation Semester

2021-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113118

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Copyright 2021 Patricia Cintora

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