Longitudinal studies examining the impact of prenatal and subsequent episodes of maternal depression on offspring antisocial behaviour

Abstract

Maternal depression is associated with adverse child outcomes including antisocial behaviour (ASB). Prospective longitudinal studies have focused on the timing and cumulative exposure to maternal depression to further delineate the association and mechanisms of effect. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesise and evaluate the findings of longitudinal studies of maternal depression and offspring antisocial behaviour. Three databases were searched (Psychinfo, Web of Science, and Medline). Twenty of 5936 studies met inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme criteria [Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (2017) CASP (cohort observation checklist). https ://casp-uk. net/wpcon tent/uploa ds/2018/01/CASP-Cohor t-Study -Check list.pdf]. Results of individual studies were highly varied, using diverse analytical approaches and not all studies explored the independent effects of different episodes. Only three studies examined hypothesised mechanisms. Prenatal, postnatal, and later episodes of depression were all predictive of antisocial outcomes. One particular time period of depression exposure did not emerge as more predictive of offspring ASB than another. However, measures of maternal depression after the perinatal period were limited and typically included a one-off assessment of mothers' depressive symptoms that was concurrent to the assessment of offspring ASB. When cumulative exposure to maternal depression and specific timing effects were measured within the same study it was cumulative exposure that conferred the greatest risk for offspring ASB-particularly when this exposure began during the perinatal period. Findings are discussed in terms of limitations in the literature and highlight the need for future research to examine the biological and environmental mechanisms that underpin associations between maternal depression and offspring antisocial behaviour during different stages of development.

Emotional Problems in Children of Mothers who had Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, cumulative exposure with onset in the perinatal period conferred the greatest risk. 15 Effect on the children could be mediated by the • Depression in the mother can adversely impact children and adolescents.…”

“…However, cumulative exposure with onset in the perinatal period conferred the greatest risk. 15 Effect on the children could be mediated by the mother’s negative affect, thoughts, behaviors (parenting), or contextual factors (such as poverty and domestic violence) that contributed to it. 16 …”

Beyond the Outcomes: Generic Change Indicators in a video-feedback intervention with a depressed mother and her baby: a single case study

“…When peripartum depressive symptoms are untreated (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition), this may lead to the development of several relational difficulties between the mother and her baby (Beebe, 2003 ; Feldman, 2015 ; McFarquhar et al ., 2018 ; Monk et al ., 2012 ; Racine et al ., 2018). Peripartum depression has been associated with higher levels of maternal stress and anxiety (Morgan et al ., 2021 ; Stein et al ., 2014), which in turn negatively impact dyadic adjustment (Vismara et al , 2016 ; Rolle et al , 2017), as well as lower maternal responsiveness to her baby’s cues and needs (Behrendt, Scharke, Herpertz-Dahlmann, Konrad, & Firk, 2019 ; Lefkovics, et al ., 2018 ). Thus, peripartum depression is a risk factor for infant development, attachment, and mother-baby interaction quality, even at subclinical levels (Tronick & Reck, 2009 ).…”

Perceived Social Support Partially Mediates the Impact of Temperament and Character on Postpartum Depression

“…Postpartum depression, which has an approximate prevalence of 10–15% in mothers ( 1 – 3 ), can lead to maternal suicide ( 4 – 6 ) and the developmental failure of the child ( 7 – 9 ). Thus, identification of the risk for postpartum depression, and protective factors against its development, is critical ( 10 , 11 ).…”