Maternal representations, depression and interactive behaviour in the postnatal period: a brief report

Abstract

The association between pre/postnatal change in the content of maternal representations and maternal interactive capacity/number of depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum was investigated among 12 substance‐addicted mothers in residential treatment. The measures used were semantic differentials of the Interview of Maternal Representations (IRMAG), maternal variables of the Parent‐Child Early Relational Assessment (ERA) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Change towards a more negative view of the child was associated with having more problem areas in maternal interaction, and more depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum. Change towards a more negative view of the child's father and own mother‐as‐mother was associated with having more interaction problems, and towards a more negative view of self was related to depression postnatally.