Symptoms of Depression Postpartum and 12 years Later-Associations to Child Mental Health at 12 years of Age

Abstract

Children of depressed mothers have been shown to express behaviour problems to a greater extent than children of non-depressed mothers. The purpose of this study was to examine the persistence of depressive symptoms in mothers and to evaluate the relative importance of symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) and concurrent maternal symptoms of depression, on child behaviour at age 12. A birth cohort of 1,707 children and their mothers was followed from 3 months after birth to 12 years after birth. Self-reported symptoms of depression in mothers were assessed at baseline and 12-year follow-up where 893 mothers (52.3 %) and their children participated. The mothers' reports on the behaviour of their children at age 12 were used. Multivariate analysis was used to assess factors that increased the risk of child behaviour problems. At baseline, 10.4 % scored above the cutoff for symptoms of postpartum depression. At follow up, 18.2 % scored above the cutoff for depressive symptoms. Multivariate analysis showed that ongoing maternal symptoms of depression, as distinct from PPD-symptoms, was the strongest predictor of child behaviour problems at age 12. The gender of the child and socio-demographic factors at baseline were additional factors that affected the risk of behaviour problems in the 12 year old children. Children of mothers who reported symptoms of depression, both postpartum and at follow-up, were at a greater risk of behaviour problems compared to children of women with no depressive symptoms on either occasion. Our findings indicate that recurrent and ongoing maternal depressive symptoms significantly increase the risk of child behaviour problems as reported by mothers, while symptoms of PPD do not seem to result in an increased risk of behaviour problems in 12 year olds. High maternal socio-demographic life stress at childbirth constitutes an important risk factor for later child behaviour problems.

Needs, expectations and consequences for children growing up in a family where the parent has a mental illness

“…The results presented here indicate that main consequences for the child in growing up in a family with a parent with mental illness are reversal of the parenting role in the family, emotional and behavioural problems (insecurity, anxiety, not attending school, antisocial behaviour), stigma of being part of a 'mental health case' and lack of parental attention and engagement with the child. Similar findings have been reported in the WPA Guidelines (Brockington et al, 2013), and in several previous studies (Agnafors et al 2013;Cooklin 2009Cooklin , 2013Gladstone et al 2006;Manning & Gregoire 2006;Maybery et al 2005;Reupert et al 2012b;Somers 2007;Trondsen 2012;Weizmal et al 2011). These studies have also highlighted parental emotional unavailability, the disturbed behaviour of children and reversal of the roles in family with a parent with mental illness.…”

Women’s mental health following the birth of a child: a life course approach

“…What this finding may also suggest is that other women who did not report mental health impairment in pregnancy went on to experience mental health impairment in the years following their baby's birth. Overall, this observed increase in the proportion of women with mental health impairment at 21 years was not unexpected, as other findings have reported similar increases in the proportion of women with depression, over studies of four years (Woolhouse et al, 2015) and 12 years (Agnafors et al, 2013). While, having poor mental health in pregnancy proved to be one of the strongest predictors of maternal poor mental health over time, other contributing factors reported in this thesis' findings, such as women's socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics and other factors, no doubt influence the mental health of this latter group of women.…”

“…Further evidence has found that exposure to maternal depression was associated with internalizing and externalizing behaviours in school-aged children (Barker et al, 2012, Fihrer et al, 2009). While another study found concurrent maternal symptoms of depression and anxiety was associated with behavioural problems in children (Agnafors et al, 2013).…”

“…One longitudinal study found the proportion of women with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) cut-offs for depression at three months postnatal was 6.9% and at four years post birth the proportion had increased to 14.5% (Woolhouse et al, 2015). Another study found the prevalence of depression in a sample of women was 10.4% at three months post birth and increased to 18.2% at 12 years post birth (Agnafors et al, 2013). A smaller sample of unmarried, adolescent mothers suggested the prevalence of depression at time-point 1 (1 to 1.5 years post birth) was 19.0% and the prevalence increased to 35.2% at time-point 5 (15 to 17 years post birth) (Gavin et al, 2011).…”

Constructions of motherhood and fatherhood in newspaper articles on maternal and paternal postpartum depression

“…Behavioural problems are also present in the pre-teen years (Agnafors, Sydsjo, Dekeyser, & Svedin, 2013); however, this effect does not seem to be caused by MPPD, but rather by prolonged and recurring maternal depression after the postpartum period (Agnafors et al, 2013).…”