The effects of postpartum depression on child development: a meta-analysis

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Updated: Oct 30, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

C T Beck1

  • 1School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-2026, USA.

Archives of Psychiatric Nursing
|March 7, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Postpartum depression can negatively impact children

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Maternal Mental Health
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Postpartum depression's short-term effects on maternal-infant interaction are known.
  • Long-term developmental impacts on children require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the long-term effects of maternal postpartum depression on child development.
  • To analyze cognitive and emotional development in children over one year old.

Main Methods:

  • A meta-analysis was conducted.
  • Nine studies meeting specific sample criteria were included in the analysis.

Main Results:

  • Postpartum depression showed a small but statistically significant effect on children's development.
  • Effect sizes (r) ranged from .18 to .22; (d) ranged from .36 to .45.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal postpartum depression has measurable long-term consequences for child cognitive and emotional development.
  • Further research is needed to explore these implications.

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