Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T03:49:27.594Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Maternal depressive symptoms and early childhood cognitive development: a meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2016

Y. Liu ,
S. Kaaya ,
J. Chai ,
D. C. McCoy ,
P. J. Surkan ,
M. M. Black ,
A.-L. Sutter-Dallay ,
H. Verdoux  and
M. C. Smith-Fawzi
Y. Liu*
Affiliation:
Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
S. Kaaya
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
J. Chai
Affiliation:
Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston MA, USA
D. C. McCoy
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge MA, USA
P. J. Surkan
Affiliation:
Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD, USA
M. M. Black
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD, USA
A.-L. Sutter-Dallay
Affiliation:
Univ. Bordeaux, U1219, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
H. Verdoux
Affiliation:
INSERM, U1219, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
M. C. Smith-Fawzi
Affiliation:
Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: Ms. Y. Liu, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA. (Email: [email protected])
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

Previous findings have been mixed regarding the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and child cognitive development. The objective of this study was to systematically review relevant literature and to perform a meta-analysis.

Method

Three electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO) were searched. Initial screening was conducted independently by two reviewers. Studies selected for detailed review were read in full and included based on a set of criteria. Data from selected studies were abstracted onto a standardized form. Meta-analysis using the inverse variance approach and random-effects models was conducted.

Results

The univariate analysis of 14 studies revealed that maternal depressive symptoms are related to lower cognitive scores among children aged ⩽56 months (Cohen's d = −0.25, 95% CI −0.39 to −0.12). The synthesis of studies controlling for confounding variables showed that the mean cognitive score for children 6–8 weeks post-partum whose mothers had high depressive symptoms during the first few weeks postpartum was approximately 4.2 units lower on the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) compared with children with non-symptomatic mothers (B̂ = −4.17, 95% CI −8.01 to −0.32).

Conclusions

The results indicated that maternal depressive symptoms are related to lower cognitive scores in early infancy, after adjusting for confounding factors. An integrated approach for supporting child cognitive development may include program efforts that promote maternal mental health in addition to family economic wellbeing, responsive caregiving, and child nutrition.

Keywords

Cognitive developmentmaternal depressive symptomsmeta-analysis
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 47 , Issue 4 , March 2017 , pp. 680 - 689
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agrawal, A, Ickovics, J, Lewis, JB, Magriples, U, Kershaw, TS (2014). Postpartum intimate partner violence and health risks among young mothers in the United States: a prospective study. Maternal and Child Health Journal 18, 1985–1992.Google Scholar
APA (1980). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edn. Washington: DC.Google Scholar
APA (1995). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders International Version, 4th edn. Washington: DC.Google Scholar
Bagner, DM, Pettit, JW, Lewinsohn, PM, Seeley, JR (2010). Effect of maternal depression on child behavior: a sensitive period? Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 49, 699–707.Google Scholar
Bagner, DM, Pettit, JW, Lewinsohn, PM, Seeley, JR, Jaccard, J (2013). Disentangling the temporal relationship between parental depressive symptoms and early child behavior problems: a transactional framework. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology 42, 78–90.Google Scholar
Baker-Henningham, H, Powell, C, Walker, S, Grantham-McGregor, S (2003). Mothers of undernourished Jamaican children have poorer psychosocial functioning and this is associated with stimulation provided in the home. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 57, 786–792.Google Scholar
Baker-Henningham, H, Powell, C, Walker, S, Grantham-Mcgregor, S (2005). The effect of early stimulation on maternal depression: a cluster randomised controlled trial. Archives of Disease in Childhood 90, 1230–1234.Google Scholar
Bayley, N (1969). Bayley Scales of Infant Development Manual. The Psychilogical Corporation: New York, NY.Google Scholar
Bayley, N (1993). Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd edn. The Psychological Corporation: San Antonio, TX.Google Scholar
Bayley, N (2006 a). Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development – Third edition: Technical Manual. Harcourt Assessment: San Antonio, TX.Google Scholar
Bayley, N (2006 b). Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development – Third edition: Administration Manual. NCS Pearson: San Antonio, TX.Google Scholar
Beck, AT, Ward, CH, Mendelson, M, Mock, J, Erbaugh, J (1961). An inventory for measuring depression. Archives of General Psychiatry 4, 561–571.Google Scholar
Beck, CT (1998). The effects of postpartum depression on child development: a meta-analysis. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing 12, 12–20.Google Scholar
Black, MM, Baqui, AH, Zaman, K, Mcnary, SW, Le, K, Arifeen, SE, Hamadani, JD, Parveen, M, Yunus, M, Black, RE (2007). Depressive symptoms among rural Bangladeshi mothers: implications for infant development. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 48, 764–772.Google Scholar
Boivin, MJ, Bangirana, P, Nakasujja, N, Page, CF, Shohet, C, Givon, D, Bass, JK, Opoka, RO, Klein, PS (2013). A year-long caregiver training program to improve neurocognition in preschool Ugandan HIV-exposed children. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics 34, 269–278.Google Scholar
Burgemeister, B, Blum, L, Lorge, J (1972). Columbia Mental Maturity Scale. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich: New York.Google Scholar
Cicchetti, D, Rogosch, FA, Toth, SL, Spagnola, M (1997). Affect, cognition, and the emergence of self-knowledge in the toddler offspring of depressed mothers. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology 67, 338–362.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cohen, J (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. Lawrence Erlbaum: Hillsdale, NJ.Google Scholar
Conroy, S, Pariante, CM, Marks, MN, Davies, HA, Simone, F, Schacht, R, Moran, PM (2012). Maternal psychopathology and infant development at 18 months: the impact of maternal personality disorder and depression. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 51, 51–61.Google Scholar
Cooper, PJ, Tomlinson, M, Swartz, L, Landman, M, Molteno, C, Stein, A, Mcpherson, K, Murray, L (2009). Improving quality of mother-infant relationship and infant attachment in socioeconomically deprived community in South Africa: randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal 338, b974.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cooper, PJ, Tomlinson, M, Swartz, L, Woolgar, M, Murray, L, Molteno, C (1999). Post-partum depression and the mother-infant relationship in a South African peri-urban settlement. British Journal of Psychiatry 175, 554–558.Google Scholar
Cornish, AM, Mcmahon, CA, Ungerer, JA, Barnett, B, Kowalenko, N, Tennant, C (2005). Postnatal depression and infant cognitive and motor development in the second postnatal year: the impact of depression chronicity and infant gender. Infant Behavior and Development 28, 407–417.Google Scholar
Cox, JL, Holden, JM, Sagovsky, R (1987). Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh postnatal depression scale. British Journal of Psychiatry 150, 782–786.Google Scholar
Di Benedetto, M, Lindner, H, Aucote, H, Churcher, J, Mckenzie, S, Croning, N, Jenkins, E (2014). Co-morbid depression and chronic illness related to coping and physical and mental health status. Psychology, Health & Medicine 19, 253–262.Google Scholar
Dubowitz, H, Feigelman, S, Lane, W, Prescott, L, Blackman, K, Grube, L, Meyer, W, Tracy, JK (2007). Screening for depression in an urban pediatric primary care clinic. Pediatrics 119, 435–443.Google Scholar
Field, T (1992). Infants of depressed mothers. Development and Psychopathology 4, 49–66.Google Scholar
Goodman, SH, Tully, E (2008). Children of Depressed Mothers. Guilford: New York.Google Scholar
Grace, SL, Evindar, A, Stewart, DE (2003). The effect of postpartum depression on child cognitive development and behavior: a review and critical analysis of the literature. Archives of Women's Mental Health 6, 263–274.Google Scholar
Grantham-Mcgregor, S, Cheung, YB, Cueto, S, Glewwe, P, Richter, L, Strupp, B (2007). Developmental potential in the first 5 years for children in developing countries. Lancet 369, 60–70.Google Scholar
Hanley, GE, Brain, U, Oberlander, TF (2013). Infant developmental outcomes following prenatal exposure to antidepressants, and maternal depressed mood and positive affect. Early Human Development 89, 519–524.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Harrison, PL, Kaufman, AS, Kaufman, NL, Bruinicks, RH, Rynders, J, Ilmer, S, Sparrow, SS, Cicchetti, DV (1990). AGS Early Screening Profiles. American Guidance Service: Circle Pines, MN.Google Scholar
Hay, DF, Kumar, R (1995). Interpreting the effects of mothers’ postnatal depression on children's intelligence: a critique and re-analysis. Child Psychiatry & Human Development 25, 165–181.Google Scholar
Heneghan, AM, Chaudron, LH, Storfer-Isser, A, Park, ER, Kelleher, KJ, Stein, RE, Hoagwood, KE, O'Connor, KG, Horwitz, SM (2007). Factors associated with identification and management of maternal depression by pediatricians. Pediatrics 119, 444–454.Google Scholar
Husain, N, Cruickshank, JK, Tomenson, B, Khan, S, Rahman, A (2012). Maternal depression and infant growth and development in British Pakistani women: a cohort study. British Medical Journal Open 2, e000523.Google Scholar
Kagee, A (2008). Symptoms of depression and anxiety among a sample of South African patients living with a chronic illness. Journal of Health Psychology 13, 547–555.Google Scholar
Koutra, K, Chatzi, L, Bagkeris, M, Vassilaki, M, Bitsios, P, Kogevinas, M (2013). Antenatal and postnatal maternal mental health as determinants of infant neurodevelopment at 18 months of age in a mother-child cohort (Rhea Study) in Crete, Greece. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 48, 1335–1345.Google Scholar
Kukihara, H, Yamawaki, N, Uchiyama, K, Arai, S, Horikawa, E (2014). Trauma, depression, and resilience of earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster survivors of Hirono, Fukushima, Japan. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 68, 524–533.Google Scholar
Kurstjens, S, Wolke, D (2001). Effects of maternal depression on cognitive development of children over the first 7 years of life. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 42, 623–636.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leserman, J (2008). Role of depression, stress, and trauma in HIV disease progression. Psychosomatic Medicine 70, 539–545.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lovejoy, MC, Graczyk, PA, O'HARE, E, Neuman, G (2000). Maternal depression and parenting behavior: a meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychological Review 20, 561–592.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marcus, SM (2009). Depression during pregnancy: rates, risks and consequences. Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 16, e15–e22.Google Scholar
Marcus, SM, Flynn, HA, Blow, FC, Barry, KL (2003). Depressive symptoms among pregnant women screened in obstetrics settings. Journal of Women's Health 12, 8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mccarthy, D (1972). McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. The Psychological Corporation: San Antonio, TX.Google Scholar
Mclennan, JD, Kotelchuck, M (2000). Parental prevention practices for young children in the context of maternal depression. Pediatrics 105, 1090–1095.Google Scholar
Milgrom, J, Westley, DT, Gemmill, AW (2004). The mediating role of maternal responsiveness in some longer term effects of postnatal depression on infant development. Infant Behavior and Development 27, 443–454.Google Scholar
Minkovitz, CS, Strobino, D, Scharfstein, D, Hou, W, Miller, T, Mistry, KB, Swartz, K (2005). Maternal depressive symptoms and children's receipt of health care in the first 3 years of life. Pediatrics 115, 306–314.Google Scholar
Moher, D, Liberati, A, Tetzlaff, J, Altman, DG (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Medicine 6, 1–6.Google Scholar
Nakai, Y, Inoue, T, Toda, H, Toyomaki, A, Nakato, Y, Nakagawa, S, Kitaichi, Y, Kameyama, R, Hayashishita, Y, Wakatsuki, Y, Oba, K, Tanabe, H, Kusumi, I (2014). The influence of childhood abuse, adult stressful life events and temperaments on depressive symptoms in the nonclinical general adult population. Journal of Affective Disorders 158, 101–107.Google Scholar
Nicholson, JS, Deboeck, PR, Farris, JR, Boker, SM, Borkowski, JG (2011). Maternal depressive symptomatology and child behavior: transactional relationship with simultaneous bidirectional coupling. Developmental Psychology 47, 1312–1323.Google Scholar
O'BRIEN Caughy, M, Huang, KY, Lima, J (2009). Patterns of conflict interaction in mother-toddler dyads: differences between depressed and non-depressed mothers. Journal of Child and Family Studies 18, 10–20.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Otake, Y, Nakajima, S, Uno, A, Kato, S, Sasaki, S, Yoshioka, E, Ikeno, T, Kishi, R (2014). Association between maternal antenatal depression and infant development: a hospital-based prospective cohort study. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 19, 30–45.Google Scholar
Patel, V, Desouza, N, Rodrigues, M (2003). Postnatal depression and infant growth and development in low income countries: a cohort study from Goa, India. Archives of Disease in Childhood 88, 34–37.Google Scholar
Poobalan, AS, Aucott, LS, Ross, L, Smith, WC, Helms, PJ, Williams, JH (2007). Effects of treating postnatal depression on mother-infant interaction and child development: systematic review. British Journal of Psychiatry 191, 378–386.Google Scholar
Pound, GA (2005). The relationship between postpartum depression and infant development . (PhD dissertation). California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University.Google Scholar
Radloff, LS (1977). The CES-D scale a self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement 1, 385–401.Google Scholar
Singla, DR, Kumbakumba, E, Aboud, FE (2015). Effects of a parenting intervention to address maternal psychological wellbeing and child development and growth in rural Uganda: a community-based, cluster-randomised trial. Lancet Global Health 3, e458–e469.Google Scholar
Sohr-Preston, SL, Scaramella, LV (2006). Implications of timing of maternal depressive symptoms for early cognitive and language development. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review 9, 65–83.Google Scholar
Stewart, RC, Umar, E, Tomenson, B, Creed, F (2014). A cross-sectional study of antenatal depression and associated factors in Malawi. Archives of Women's Mental Health 17, 145–154.Google Scholar
Stroup, DF, Berlin, JA, Morton, SC, Olkin, I, Williamson, GD, Rennie, D, Moher, D, Becker, BJ, Sipe, TA, Thacker, SB (2000). Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology: a proposal for reporting. Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) group. Journal of the American Medical Association 283, 2008–2012.Google Scholar
Surkan, PJ, Peterson, KE, Hughes, MD, Gottlieb, BR (2006). The role of social networks and support in postpartum women's depression: a multiethnic urban sample. Maternal and Child Health Journal 10, 375–383.Google Scholar
Sutter-Dallay, AL, Murray, L, Dequae-Merchadou, L, Glatigny-Dallay, E, Bourgeois, ML, Verdoux, H (2011). A prospective longitudinal study of the impact of early postnatal v. chronic maternal depressive symptoms on child development. European Psychiatry 26, 484–489.Google Scholar
Teti, DM, Gelfand, DM, Messinger, DS, Isabella, R (1995). Maternal depression and the quality of early attachment: an examination of infants, preschoolers, and their mothers. Developmental Psychology 31, 364.Google Scholar
Wachs, TD, Black, MM, Engle, PL (2009). Maternal depression: a global threat to children's health, development, and behavior and to human rights. Child Development Perspectives 3, 51–59.Google Scholar
Walker, SP, Wachs, TD, Grantham-Mcgregor, S, Black, MM, Nelson, CA, Huffman, SL, Baker-Henningham, H, Chang, SM, Hamadani, JD, Lozoff, B, Gardner, JMM, Powell, CA, Rahman, A, Richter, L (2011). Inequality in early childhood: risk and protective factors for early child development. Lancet 378, 1325–1338.Google Scholar
Walker, SP, Wachs, TD, Meeks Gardner, J, Lozoff, B, Wasserman, GA, Pollitt, E, Carter, JA (2007). Child development: risk factors for adverse outcomes in developing countries. Lancet 369, 145–157.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Liu supplementary material

Table S1

Download Liu supplementary material(File)
File 21.6 KB
Supplementary material: File

Liu supplementary material

Liu supplementary material 1

Download Liu supplementary material(File)
File 17.2 KB