Clarifying the unique effects of pre‐ and postnatal depression on pre‐schoolers' adjustment

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigated the possible unique effects of pre‐and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms in relation to parenting and children's effortful control in predicting children's adjustment. Contextual risk factors (income, negative life events) were modelled. Mothers and children (N = 306) were assessed four times, including T1 maternal reports of depressive symptoms, T2 observed parenting, T3 behavioural measures of effortful control, and T4 teacher ratings of children's outcomes. Pre‐ and postnatal contextual risk predicted maternal depression and child adjustment directly. Post‐ but not prenatal depressive symptoms predicted parenting behaviours. Pre‐ but not postnatal depressive symptoms predicted children's adjustment. Results suggest that pre‐ and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms are uniquely associated with parenting and child outcomes. This study asks if pre‐ and postnatal depressive symptoms effect children's adjustment through mothers' parenting and children's subsequent self‐regulation. Multiple methods were utilized and showed that postnatal depressive symptoms predict parenting while prenatal depressive symptoms predict adjustment. Pre‐ and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms are uniquely associated with parenting and child outcomes.