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Published on: June 13, 2021
Trajectories of parenting behavior and maternal depression
1Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Nic Waal's Institute, Lovisenberg Hospital, Oslo, Norway. schale.azak@psykologi.uio.no
Infant Behavior & Development
|April 23, 2013
Summary
Maternal depression impacts parenting, but comorbid mothers showed improved maternal style over time, possibly due to treatments. Infant cognitive skills also influence the mother-infant relationship quality.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Psychiatry
- Maternal Mental Health
Background:
- Maternal depression and anxiety can negatively affect parenting behaviors and the mother-infant relationship.
- Understanding the developmental trajectories of maternal parenting in relation to maternal mental health is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate maternal parenting behavior trajectories in the first 18 months postpartum in relation to maternal depression.
- To identify predictors of the mother-infant relationship quality at 18 months.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of three groups: mothers with comorbid depression/anxiety, mothers with depression, and nondepressed mothers.
- Maternal behaviors and relationship quality assessed using the NICHD Global Scale from video-taped interactions.
- Maternal style and dyadic mutuality were key outcome variables.
Main Results:
- Mothers with depression or comorbid conditions exhibited lower maternal style at 6 months compared to controls.
- Comorbid mothers showed significant improvement in maternal style over 18 months, despite ongoing depression symptoms.
- Both maternal style and infant cognitive skills at 18 months predicted the quality of the mother-infant relationship.
Conclusions:
- Maternal mental health status influences parenting, but recovery is possible.
- The mother-infant relationship quality is a dyadic construct, influenced by both maternal and child factors.
- Treatment interventions may play a significant role in improving maternal parenting behaviors in mothers with comorbid depression and anxiety.
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