Self-reported depressive symptoms and parental stress in mothers and fathers who bring their infants to an infant mental health clinic

Abstract

Background: The parental functioning and its influence upon infant mental health development have been extensively studied but there are few clinical studies investigating less severe psychiatric problems among mothers and fathers in the same family. Aim: This study focuses on the emotional well-being of mothers and fathers who bring their infants to an Infant Mental Health Clinic. Methods: The studied sample is comprised of 63 families with 0–47-month-old infants where the mothers completed the Center for Epidemiological Study—Depression Scale (CES-D), including 43 families in which the CES-D was completed by both parents. In 44 families, the mothers also filled in the Swedish Parental Stress Questionnaire (SPSQ), including 32 where the SPSQ was completed by both parents. The children were independently classified with the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC 0–3). Results: Altogether, 54% of the mothers and 11% of the fathers reported depressive symptoms above the CES-D clinical cut-off. Self-rated depressive symptoms and parental stress were strongly related. The mothers' self-rated depressive symptoms were associated with the severity of their infant's problems, but the association was not specific to the DC 0–3 Axis I classification. The mothers' stress level was marginally related to DC 0–3 Axis II relationship classification. Conclusion: The results indicate that the inclusion of systematic parental self-ratings in infant mental health assessments could add clinical information facilitating the planning of family oriented interventions.