Maternal depressive symptoms in infancy: Unique contribution to children’s depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence?

Jean-François Bureau, M. Ann Easterbrooks, and Karlen Lyons-Ruth

Abstract

This prospective 20-year study assessed associations between maternal depressive symptoms in infancy, childhood, and adolescence and child and adolescent depressive symptoms in a sample of families at high psychosocial risk. Maternal symptomatology was assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977) when children were infants (12 months), school-aged (age 8), and adolescents (age 19). Children’s depressive symptoms were measured at age 8 (Dimensions of Depression Profile for Children and Adolescents, Hatter & Nowakowski, 1987) and age 19 (CES-D). Maternal depressive symptoms during infancy contributed to the prediction of child depressive symptoms at age 8, after controlling for concurrent maternal depressive symptoms, clinical family risk in infancy, and gender. Clinical family risk in infancy marginally contributed to the prediction model. Disorganization of attachment in infancy and maternal hostility were independent predictors of depressive symptoms at age 8 and did not mediate the relation between maternal and child depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms in adolescence were predicted by gender, children’s depressive symptoms at age 8, maternal depressive symptoms in adolescence, and maternal depressive symptoms in infancy. There was no moderating effect of gender. Adding to previous evidence on the importance of early maternal depression, maternal depressive symptoms during infancy were strongly related to the development of depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence.

Keywords: maternal depressive symptoms, child depressive symptoms, attachment, maternal sensitivity

Maternal depressive symptoms in infancy: Unique contribution to children’s depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence?

Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act Becomes Shaky Platform for Frustrated Anti-Pharma Faction | EmpowHer - Women's Health Online

 

Written by Susan Dowd Stone on April 7, 2009 - 10:06am

Her Writer

Susan Dowd Stone

In this time of focus on healthcare reform, there are many reasons to educate yourself about legislation presented to Congress – especially when it comes to healthcare for new mothers and infants – our nation’s most critical social dyad.

This is especially true when arguments against lifesaving legislation – the initiatives of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act - are not grounded in fact and desperate scare tactics are being used to frighten the very population the bill is designed to help –mothers suffering from postpartum mood disorders. Such misrepresentations have the potential to derail the long awaited deliverance of help which could reverse and end such suffering….which affects over 800,000 women a year.....

Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act Becomes Shaky Platform for Frustrated Anti-Pharma Faction | EmpowHer - Women's Health Online

Understanding Postpartum Psychosis — www.greenwood.com

A Temporary Madness

Teresa M. Twomey

With Shoshana Bennett
Foreword by Katherine Wisner, MD, MS

Book Code: C35346

ISBN: 0-313-35346-8

ISBN-13: 978-0-313-35346-8

DOI: 10.1336/0313353468

Praeger Publishers

Publication: 3/30/2009

List Price: $39.95 (UK Sterling Price: £22.95)

Availability:

Media Type: Hardcover

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

Subjects:

• Psychology » Psychology (General)
• Women's Studies » Women's Health

Description: Offering an understanding of postpartum psychosis, this riveting book explains what happens and why during this temporary and dangerous mental illness that develops for some women rapidly after childbirth. Most of us are familiar with the "baby blues," a passing sadness that strikes 50 to 75 percent of new mothers after delivery. And most of us understand postpartum depression, a sadness post-delivery that lingers for weeks or months in an estimated one in every 10 new mothers. But a more serious form of disorder that strikes up to one in every 500 new mothers is postpartum psychosis - which can trigger severe agitation, confusion, insomnia, hallucinations, delusions, mania, and possible thoughts of suicide or murder. Every year, women in the United States and around the world kill their babies, children, or themselves as a result of this mental illness. Here, author Twomey, an official with Postpartum Support International, gives us deep insight into the psychological, personal, medical, legal, and historical perspectives on this little-understood mental illness, which is both preventable and treatable. While most women who suffer postpartum psychosis eventually recover without harming anyone, they most often do so in silence. "Paranoia is a common symptom," explains Twomey, and that moves women to hide their symptoms from everyone around them. The woman can hence appear normal, but be putting both herself and her baby at risk. "We can prevent and treat this, but we need to recognize it by better screening of women postpartum," says Twomey.

Table of Contents:

• Dedication
• Acknowledgments
• List of Abbreviations
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Part I: Overview
• Ch. 1: More than Depression
• Ch. 2: Psychological Views
• Ch. 3: Postpartum Psychosis Across History and in the Media Today
• Ch. 4: Legal Views
• Part II: Stories of Recovery
• Ch. 5: Women Like Me, and You: Teresas Story
• Ch. 6: After the Manic Super Mom Period: Lauras Story
• Ch. 7: Two Episodes of PPP: A Story of Recovery in Five Parts, Evas Story
• Ch. 8: Obsessions and Delusions: Wandas Story
• Ch. 9: Suicidal Thoughts, an Evil Dog, and a Call to Police: Nicoles Story
• Ch. 10: Visions of Mother and Child Cut Up: Lisas Story
• Ch. 11: The Maze of Medication and Recovery: Martis Story
• Ch. 12: Acting Well but Wanting to Die: Sarahs Story
• Ch. 13: Seeing a Dagger, Hearing Voices: Taras Story
• Part III: Tragic Conclusions
• Ch. 14: Suicide: A Murderous Illness, Melanies Story
• Ch. 15: 90 Miles With a Dead Baby: Katherines Story
• Conclusion: What We Know, Dont Know, and Need to Do to Prevent Tragedy
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Appendix A: Resources (for further reading)
• Appendix B: Where to Find Help

Understanding Postpartum Psychosis — www.greenwood.com

Medical News: Multiple Babies Mean Higher Risk of Postpartum Depression for Mom

By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: March 30, 2009
Reviewed by Dori F. Zaleznik, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
Earn CME/CE credit
for reading medical news

BALTIMORE, March 30 -- Mothers who give birth to twins, triplets, or other multiples are at increased risk of postpartum depression, researchers here said.
In a prospective study, these women had a 43% increased risk of depressive symptoms at nine months after delivery compared with mothers of singletons, Yoonjoung Choi, Dr.P.H., of Johns Hopkins University, and colleagues reported in the April issue of Pediatrics.

Only about a quarter of these women, however, reported talking to a mental health professional about their depressive symptoms.

"Greater attention is needed in pediatric settings to address maternal depression in families with multiple births," the researchers said.....

Medical News: Multiple Babies Mean Higher Risk of Postpartum Depression for Mom - in Psychiatry, Depression from MedPage Today

Date Change for Perinatal Loss Workshop in Centerville, OH

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss
A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals
with Miriam Maslin
Sponsored by
Dayton Area Labor Support and Perinatal Education Associates
"I attended an enlightening and empowering workshop entitled, "Supporting
Women through Perinatal Loss" guided by Miriam Maslin, an amazing doula and
polarity therapist from Jerusalem. She didn't teach the session but guided
us to the awareness and answers that were within by encouraging us to learn
from each other and to trust in ourselves." ~ "The Neutral Fulcrum" by
MaryBeth Nance, CD(DONA), CLD(CAPPA), International Doula, Volume 16, Issue
2, Page 9
The entire birthing process can be seen as a paradigm. Painful contractions
represent the challenges in our lives; and each challenge presents an
opportunity for growth and healing. The greater the challenge - the greater
the potential for transformation. Only from the deepest, darkest places can
we reach the loftiest heights.
Stillbirths and neonatal deaths are "contractions" that no one ever wishes
to encounter. Yet, working in this field, each of us will ultimately be
called upon to support through such an experience.
How can we, as childbirth professionals, learn to be truly present with
our clients?
Do we know that while pain and loss are inevitable, trauma is not?
What can we do to support in a way that will promote healing and
growth?
And finally, how can we nurture and elevate ourselves throughout this
difficult process?
We will explore this challenge through stories, meditations, writing,
counseling exercises, sharing, and teachings.
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Place: 98 E Franklin Street Suite B, Centerville, OH
Fee: $130  (Due to the current financial climate, discounts are
available. Please  
             contact Miriam for details)
Workshop participation is limited to 15
DONA CEU's: 5
MEAC CEU's: .5 (5 Credit Hours)
           Additional $10 for MEAC CEU certification
For information and registration:
Miriam Maslin
E-Mail: miriam@miriammaslin.com
Tel: 516-478-9657
For directions:
Denise Easthon
E-Mail: heart2heartbirthmatters@yahoo.com
Tel: 937- 269-1312
Wife, mother, grandmother, and retired interior designer, Miriam Maslin has
been a source of inspiration to many: young and old, secular and religious,
long-time searchers and those who are just beginning their own "Interior
Design". Her inner journey has taken her across the spectrum from the
beginning to the end of the life cycle -- she is a doula and has served as
both hospice volunteer and member of the Jewish Burial Society. She
incorporates both Polarity Therapy (a system of energy/holistic healing) and
spiritual teachings into her work. Miriam has lead workshops for women's
groups and childbirth professionals in over twenty-one U.S. states; in
Canada and Israel. She will be presenting a workshop this summer at the DONA
International Conference in Atlanta. You can read more about her work at
www.miriammaslin.com

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act moves to Senate H.E.L.P. Committee

After passing by an enormous bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives on Monday, March 30th, The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act has moved to the powerful U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee where it will be “marked up” in the near future.

In addition to adding your name to the state by state listing of national supporters on PerinatalPro, you can email members of the Senate HELP committee at

help_comments@help.senate.gov

Below are the members of the H.E.L.P. committee, U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy chairs this committee and is an ardent supporter of this legislation.

Lisa Murkowski, AK (R) 202-224-6665
John McCain, (AZ) (R) 202-224-2235
Christopher Dodd (CT) (D) 202-224-2823
Johnny Isakson (GA) (R) 202-224-3643
Tom Harkin (IA) (D) 202-224-3254
Pat Roberts (KS) (R) 202-224-4774
Edward Kennedy (MA) (D) 202-224-4543
Barbara Mikulski (MD) (D) 202-224-4654
Richard Burr (NC) (R) 202-224-3154
Kay Hagan (NC) (D) 202-224-6342
Gregg Judd (NH) (R) 202-224-3324
Jeff Bingaman (NM) (D) 202-224-5521
Sherrod Brown (OH) (D) 202-224-2315
Tom Coburn (OK) (R) 202-224-5754
Jeff Merkley (OR) (D) 202-224-3753
Bob Casey (PA) (D) 202-224 6324
Jack Reed (RI) (D) 202-224-4642
Alexander Lamar (TN) (R) 202-224-4944
Orrin Hatch (UT) (R) 202-224-5251
Bernard Sanders (VT) (I) 202-224-5141
Patty Murray (WA) (D) 202-224-2621
Michael Enzi (WY) (R) 202-224-3424

You may call their offices directly to proclaim your support (and you don’t have to be from their state!).....

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act moves to Senate H.E.L.P. Committee « Perinatal Pro Weekly Blog

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act passes in the U.S. House of Representatives

Yesterday, March 30th, 2009 in the early evening hours, Congressman Bobby Rush succeeded in gaining nearly unanimous consensus among our Congressional leaders to pass The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. In a vote of 391 – 8, your representatives overwhelming cast their votes in favor of America’s mothers and moved the bill closer to reality.

Please join me in congratulating Congressman Bobby L. Rush for this historic achievement for America’s mothers and Melanie Blocker Stokes.

Here is the statement read by Congressman Rush on the House floor, yesterday evening which resulted in the passage of this legislation:

Floor Statement
Congressman Bobby L. Rush
H. R. 20 the Melanie Blocker Stokes Mom’s Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act of 2009
Monday March 30, 2009

Madame Speaker, today I rise in strong support of the Melanie Blocker Stokes Mom’s Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act of 2009.

I would like to thank Chairman Waxman, Ranking Member Barton, my colleague Congressman Frank Pallone, and the Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee who unanimously supported this legislation’s passage out of the committee.....

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act passes in the U.S. House of Representatives « Perinatal Pro Weekly Blog