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Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Child Injury Risk

Lindsay A Bryant1, Barbara A Morrongiello2

  • 1Psychology Department , University of Guelph , Guelph, ON, N1G 3M9, Canada.

Maternal and Child Health Journal
|December 12, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Maternal depression is linked to higher child injury rates. Mothers with more depressive symptoms used ineffective safety strategies, focusing on prohibitions over teaching safety skills.

Area of Science:

  • Child development
  • Pediatric safety
  • Mental health in parenting

Background:

  • Toddlerhood (2-4 years) is a vulnerable period for unintentional injuries.
  • Parental monitoring is crucial for mitigating child injury risks.
  • Maternal depressive symptoms are associated with increased child injuries, but the mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and children's injury rates.
  • To investigate how maternal depressive symptoms influence reactions to children's injury-risk behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 84 mothers of toddlers (24-47 months).
  • Data collected via questionnaires and observational methods.
  • A wide range of maternal depressive symptom scores were represented.

Main Results:

  • Children of mothers with higher depressive symptoms had increased injury rates.
  • Mothers with elevated depressive symptoms frequently intervened in risk behaviors.
  • Interventions were often ineffective, characterized by increased prohibitions and reduced teaching.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal depressive symptoms correlate with higher child injury rates.
  • Mothers with greater depressive symptoms prioritize stopping behaviors over teaching safety.
  • Ineffective safety strategies may contribute to increased child injuries.
Abstract

Keywords:
Unintentional child injury

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