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Maternal perinatal depression and child executive function: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Josephine Power1, Marinus van IJzendoorn2, Andrew J Lewis3

  • 1University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Australia; Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Victoria; Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria.

Journal of Affective Disorders
|May 28, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Maternal perinatal depression is linked to poorer child executive function. This systematic review and meta-analysis highlights a small but significant association, underscoring the need for robust research methods.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Maternal depression during the perinatal period is a known risk factor for adverse child developmental outcomes.
  • The precise mechanisms linking maternal depression to child outcomes remain unclear.
  • Child executive function, crucial for social, emotional, and educational success, is a potential mediating pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the evidence on the association between maternal perinatal depression and child executive function.
  • To evaluate the quality of existing research in this area.
  • To provide a quantitative estimate of the relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search across major databases (Medline, Embase, PubMed, PsycInfo, SCOPUS) up to August 2020.
  • Inclusion of 27 studies measuring maternal depressive symptoms and child executive function.
  • Meta-analysis of 16 studies with available raw data.

Main Results:

  • Systematic review revealed limitations in the assessment of maternal depression and child executive function, and inconsistent control for confounders.
  • Meta-analysis found a small, statistically significant association between maternal perinatal depression and child executive function (effect size r = 0.07, Cohen's d = 0.14).

Conclusions:

  • The findings support the hypothesis that maternal perinatal depression impacts offspring executive function.
  • Results should be interpreted cautiously due to the variable quality of included studies.
  • Future research requires rigorous measurement of depression and executive function, considering chronicity and developmental context.
Abstract

Keywords:
Executive functionNeurodevelopmentPerinatal depression

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