THE ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON NEGATIVE MOOD STATES AMONG COUPLES DURING PREGNANCY: AN ACTOR-PARTNER INTERDEPENDENCE MODEL APPROACH

Objective: In the eld of perinatal psychology, the majority of studies focused on mothers’ psychological and behavioral states during pregnancy, neglecting the role of their partners. This study used an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model approach to evaluate the role of social support and emotional intelligence in both members of marital couples who were expecting a baby. Method: Forty couples who were waiting for their rst child were asked to complete questionnaires on social support, trait emotional intelligence, anxiety, and depression. Results: Paternal emotional intelligence was related to paternal depression and anxiety, and maternal emotional intelligence was related to maternal depression and anxiety. Anxiety and depression were not predicted by the other partner’s social support and emotional intelligence. However, emotional intelligence in fathers was linked to perceived social support in mothers. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression are serious problems during pregnancy, and high emotional intelligence in fathers can represent an important variable that might indirectly reduce negative mood states in mothers. This consideration may help in the de nition of better preventative actions and psychological interventions during pregnancy.