University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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

Cintora, Patricia

Content Files
CINTORA-DISSERTATION-2021.pdf

Permalink

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

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
Date of Ingest
2022-01-12T22:34:43Z
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
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113118
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2021 Patricia Cintora

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