Characteristics of Mothers with Depressive Symptoms Outside the Postpartum Period

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

BACKGROUND

Depression is a highly prevalent mental disorder. Maternal depression can adversely impact perinatal outcomes and child development, and can increase mental disorders for children and adolescents. Understanding the impact could lead to opportunities for early intervention and prevention.

METHODS

We selected 29 mothers attending a tertiary care setting for mental health, who had remitted following a depressive episode, and 35 control mothers. They rated their children's behavior on the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) and temperament measurement schedule (TMS). Using a cross-sectional design, we compared the scores on behavior and temperamental characteristics between the two groups. We also studied if the severity of depression correlated with increased behavioral difficulties and evaluated if there were any differences based on gender or age.

RESULTS

Our results suggest no significant difference in behavior and temperament between the two groups. There was a trend for the children of mothers who had depression to have poor emotionality, higher rhythmicity on TMS, and higher peer relatedness based on SDQ scores. There was no correlation between the severity of depression in the mother and the severity of behavior problems.

CONCLUSION

The lack of significant differences between the two groups could be related to less severe forms of depression, the remission of depression in the mother, the presence of other supportive family members, or elevated problems in the control arm. Further research in this area with a longitudinal design, including mothers with ongoing symptoms and longer-term follow-up, studying the bidirectional influence, is warranted.

The Chronicity of Depressive Symptoms in Mothers of Children With Asthma

Depression can disproportionately affect low-income women. The purpose of this study was to explore the chronicity of depressive symptoms in a sample of 276 low-income inner-city mothers of children with high-risk asthma. The aims were to identify factors (asthma health status, stress, social support) associated with change in depressive symptomatology over 12 months as well as to ascertain what factors are most consistently associated with depressive symptoms. Using latent growth curve analysis, demographic variables, asthma severity, stress, and social support failed to explain changes in depressive symptomatology. The growth curve models, however, were predictive of Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) scores at distinct time points indicating that higher daily stress and lower social support were associated with increased depressive symptoms. Our data highlight the chronic nature of depressive symptoms in low-income mothers of children with poorly controlled asthma. Integrating questions about caregiver psychological state across all clinical encounters with the family may be indicated.

Maternal Sick Leave Due to Psychiatric Disorders Following the Birth of a Child With Special Health Care Needs

Objective Child-related stress following the birth of a child with special health care needs (SHCN) can take a toll on parental health. This study examined how the risk of sick leave due to psychiatric disorders (PD) among mothers of children with SHCN compares with that of mothers of children without SHCN during early motherhood. Methods Responses from 58,532 mothers participating in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study were linked to national registries and monitored for physician-certified sick leave from the month of their child’s first birthday until the month of their child’s fourth birthday. Results As compared with mothers of children without SHCN, mothers of children with mild and moderate/severe care needs were at substantial risk of a long-term sick leave due to PD in general and due to depression more specifically. Conclusions Extensive childhood care needs are strongly associated with impaired mental health in maternal caregivers during early motherhood.