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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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Association of maternal and paternal perinatal depression and anxiety with infant development: A longitudinal study

Alana M Rogers1, George J Youssef1, Samantha Teague2

  • 1Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Journal of Affective Disorders
|June 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Maternal perinatal depression and anxiety symptoms, but not clinical diagnoses or paternal mental health, were linked to minor adverse effects on infant development. Early screening and intervention are crucial for maternal mental health during pregnancy and postpartum.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal mental health
  • Infant development
  • Parental mental health

Background:

  • Maternal and paternal perinatal depression and anxiety are theorized to impact infant development.
  • Limited research has examined both symptoms and diagnoses in parents concurrently.
  • Paternal mental health in the perinatal period is under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal and paternal perinatal depression and anxiety symptoms and diagnoses with infant development.
  • To assess the impact of parental mental health on infant social-emotional, language, and overall development.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Triple B Pregnancy Cohort Study (1539 mothers, 793 partners).
  • Assessed depressive and anxiety symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales.
  • Diagnosed major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview; assessed infant development at 12 months with Bayley Scales.

Main Results:

  • Antepartum maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with poorer infant social-emotional and language development.
  • Postpartum maternal anxiety symptoms correlated with poorer overall infant development at 8 weeks.
  • No significant associations were found for maternal clinical diagnoses or any paternal mental health measures, though trends suggested potential adverse effects.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal perinatal depression and anxiety symptoms show a small adverse impact on infant development.
  • Findings highlight the importance of prevention, early screening, and intervention for maternal perinatal mental health.
  • Further research should consider other risk factors during critical early developmental periods.
Abstract

Keywords:
AntenatalAnxietyChild developmentDepressionPerinatalPostnatal

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