1. Abstract Results Background Discussion Methods
Relationship between Maternal Depression during Pregnancy and Mother-Offspring Interactions
Nicole Ortiz;1,2 Abanob Saleh;1 Jessica Buthmann;1,2 Yoko Nomura.1,3
1Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, Kissena Blvd., Flushing NY 11367
2Macaulay Honors College, 35 W 67th St. New York, NY 10023
3Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029
Abstract
Results
Objective: To evaluate the association between maternal depression during pregnancy and maternal care and protection behaviors toward offspring.
Methods: Pregnant women (n=115) were administered the EPDS questionnaire to determine the presence or absence of depression during pregnancy, and the PBI to measure aspects of care and protection towards offspring at follow-up (M=34 months postpartum).
Results: Mothers with depression during pregnancy were three times (OR=3.12) more likely to have a low protection parenting style, as compared to mother without depression, χ2(1)= 7.89, p = No significant difference was found between mothers with depression on scores of maternal care behaviors.
Conclusion: Further research is necessary to determine the underlying mechanism behind these observed associations, and to increase awareness for the need of comprehensive prenatal screening for depression, as this may help indicate high-risk offspring for targeted early intervention to foster healthy mother-child interactions, in order to facilitate optimal child neurodevelopment.
While no significant difference was found between mothers with depression on scores of maternal care, mothers with depression during pregnancy were three times (OR=3.12) more likely to have a low protection parenting style, as compared to mothers without depression, χ2(1)= 7.89, p = .005.
Background
Aim: To determine the relationship between the presence of prenatal depressive symptomatology and subsequent care and protection parenting styles
Previous research has shown that mothers with concurrent depression are significantly less
responsive to their children (Cox et al., 2006) and display more irritability and hostility towards them
(Lovejoy et al., 2000).
Previous research has also shown elevated risk for low social competence and low adaptive
functioning in children of mothers with concurrent depressive symptomatology (Luoma et al., 2001).
Discussion
Methods
The present findings indicate that women with depression during pregnancy are more likely to exhibit low protection parenting behavior.
No significant difference was found between mean scores of care between mothers with prenatal depression as compared to mothers without prenatal depression.
Low protection parenting style in depressed mothers may be due to behavioral deficits caused by symptoms of depression, including loss of interest, changes in sleep patterns, or lack of energy.
These findings may add to the study of how maternal psychopathology during pregnancy can have adverse effects on parental bonding, and subsequently on adolescent offspring psychopathology.
Further research is necessary to evaluate the complex impact of prenatal depression both biologically, and on mother-child interactions postpartum. Increased awareness of the need for comprehensive prenatal screening for depression is required to identify high-risk offspring for targeted early intervention to foster optimal parental bonding and child development.
Sample Population:
115 pregnant women (n=115) receiving prenatal care at Mount Sinai Hospital or New York
Presbyterian Queens (NYPQ) were recruited to participate in the SIP Study (PI: Yoko Nomura).
As part of their participation in the parent study, participants completed a battery of self-report
questionnaires at baseline, and annual follow-up visits to assess a wide range of factors that
impact child development, including depression and child rearing practices.
Measures:
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) administered during the 2nd trimester was used to
determine the presence or absence of depression, according to the suggested threshold (>10).
Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), a self report questionnaire, administered at postpartum (M=34
months) was used to measure maternal care and protection towards offspring.
Data Analysis:
A Pearson Chi Square was conducted to investigate the association between depression as
determined by EPDS (>10) and PBI scores of care and protection, and maternal risk for negative
PBI outcomes (low care, low protection) as a function of depression status.
References
Lovejoy, M.C., Graczyk, P.A., O’Hare, E., Neuman, G. (2000). Maternal depression and parenting behavior: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 20(5),
Luoma, I., Tamminen, T., Kaukonen, P., Laippala, P., Puura, K., Salmelin, R., Almqvist, F. (2001). Longitudinal Study of Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Child Well-Being. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 40(12),
Cox, A.D., Puckering, C., Pound, A., Mills, M. (2006). The Impact of Maternal Depression in Young Children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 28(6),
Acknowledgements: This work was supported in part by grants K ; R01MH from the NIMH (P.I. Yoko Nomura). Thank you to Mount Sinai Hospital and NYPQ’s Ob/Gyn and L&D staff. Thank you to the families who participated in this study.