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Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
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The mediated effects of maternal depression and infant temperament on maternal role

Jennifer L Rode1, Elizabeth J Kiel2

  • 1Department of Nursing, Miami University, 1601 University Boulevard, Hamilton, OH, 45011-3399, USA. rodejL@miamioh.edu.

Archives of Women'S Mental Health
|May 22, 2015
PubMed

We examined prenatal depression, postpartum depression, and infant temperament, respectively, in a mediated process model to predict maternal role. Using a prospective, observational design, we surveyed 168 women during pregnancy and then in postpartum. Data analyses supported the contribution of each variable in an ascending fashion (ab = -0.01, SE = 0.004, 95 % CI [-0.021, -0.004]), such that infant temperament had the strongest effects (sr(2) = .124, p < .001). Further, postpartum depression was found to influence maternal role with both direct effects and indirect effects via infant temperament. These results highlighted the significant impact postpartum depression may have on maternal role. Future interventions targeting mothers experiencing or who are at risk for depression may consider tools to improve mother-baby interactions. The effects of such intervention may subsequently improve both infant temperament and maternal role evaluation.

Keywords:
Infant temperamentMaternal rolePostpartum depressionPrenatal depression

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