Long-term effect of persistent postpartum depression on children's psychological problems in childhood

Hanae Tainaka; Nagahide Takahashi; Tomoko Nishimura; Akemi Okumura; Taeko Harada; Toshiki Iwabuchi; Md Shafiur Rahman; Yoko Nomura; Kenji J Tsuchiya

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2022.02.061

Long-term effect of persistent postpartum depression on children's psychological problems in childhood

J Affect Disord. 2022 May 15:305:71-76. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.02.061. Epub 2022 Feb 24.

Authors

Hanae Tainaka¹, Nagahide Takahashi², Tomoko Nishimura¹, Akemi Okumura¹, Taeko Harada¹, Toshiki Iwabuchi¹, Md Shafiur Rahman¹, Yoko Nomura³, Kenji J Tsuchiya¹

Affiliations

¹ Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan; United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Japan.
² Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan; United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Japan; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. Electronic address: n-taka@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
³ United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Japan; Queens College and Graduate Center, City University of New York, NY, United States.

Abstract

Background: Maternal postpartum depression (PPD) is a well-established risk factor for psychological problems in children; however, little is known about the sustained impact of persistent PPD patterns and severity on these problems in children.

Methods: Data were obtained from mothers (N = 714) and children (N = 768) from the Hamamatsu Birth Cohort for Mothers and Children. Maternal depression was measured using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale at 2, 4, 10 weeks and 10 months postpartum. Children's internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at 6 years and 8-9 years old. Mothers were divided into 4 groups based on the trajectory of their PPD persistence: "No PPD," "Transient PPD," "Worsening PPD" and "Persistent PPD." Linear regression analysis was used to examine the association of PPD persistence and severity with children's internalizing and externalizing problems.

Results: "Persistent PPD" was significantly associated with children's internalizing problems at 6 years old (Coefficient [95%CI] = 2.74 [1.30-4.19], P < .001), but no association was found at 8-9 years old. No associations were found between PPD severity and children's internalizing and externalizing problems in either age category.

Limitations: "Persistent PPD" and "Worsening PPD" groups had a relatively small sample size. The mothers' depression statuses were not ascertained simultaneously with the children's behavioral assessments. There was no information regarding the mothers' treatment for PPD.

Conclusion: PPD persistence negatively affected children's internalizing problems but was not long-lasting. Future studies are needed to identify protective factors against PPD persistence in children's psychological problems.

Keywords: Cohort study; Externalizing problems; Internalizing problems; Postpartum depression.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child
Child Behavior Disorders* / psychology
Depression
Depression, Postpartum* / psychology
Female
Humans
Mothers / psychology

Grants and funding

R01 MH102729/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States