The effects of early postpartum depression on infant temperament

ABSTRACT

Research linking postpartum depression (PPD) with negative child outcomes has predominantly examined PPD at six weeks postpartum or later, and has not controlled for depression during pregnancy. The present study examined associations between PPD at three weeks postpartum and temperament in 6-month-old infants in a sample of women who were not depressed during pregnancy. Depression was assessed at three weeks and six months postpartum using the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS). Observed and maternal report of infant temperament was assessed when infants were 6-months-old. PPD symptoms significantly predicted observed temperament behaviour and explained maternal report of infant temperament. Symptoms of PPD at three weeks postpartum were a stronger predictor than at six months. Findings suggest that early depressive symptoms may be particularly problematic, and have implications for early assessment and treatment of PPD even in women who were not depressed during pregnancy or are otherwise considered low risk.

KEYWORDS:

• Postpartum depression
• maternal depression
• infant temperament
• infant emotion

Acknowledgements

NINR: Predoc NRSA (5 F31 NRO7528-03); Women’s Health Nursing Research Training Grant (T32 0739); University of Washington, Royalty Research Fund Grant 65-5266. We also want to express our appreciation to the study participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Alyson Shapiro, PhD is an assistant professor in the Department of Child and Family Development at San Diego State University. Her research focus is on the inter-related areas of family dynamics around the transition to parenthood period, and child development within the family context.

Sandra Jolley, PhD is a Paediatric Nurse Practitioner and retired faculty from the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Washington. Her paediatric focus is on primary paediatric care and infant mental health and wellbeing. Her research focuses on the transition of mothers from pregnancy to the postpartum period, the psychobiology of postpartum depression, and the impact of maternal mental health on infants and young children.

Ursula Hildebrandt received an M.S. in clinical social work and PhD in developmental psychology. She has been a post-doctoral fellow at the Barnard Centre for Infant Mental Health and an assistant professor of psychology at Seattle Pacific University. She currently divides her time between conducting research, teaching, her private practice, and work at a non-profit organization serving young children in the foster care system.

Susan Spieker, PhD is the Kathryn Barnard Endowed Professor for Infant Mental Health in the Family and Child Nursing Department at the University of Washington. Her experience spans projects on infant childcare and attachment, adolescent childbearing and child and family development, and randomized trials on intervention in Early Head Start and child welfare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) National Research Service Award [5 F31 NRO 72528-03]; NIH, NINR Women’s Health Nursing Research Training Grant [T32 NRO 7039]; University of Washington, Royalty Research Fund [grant number 65-5266].