Longitudinal maternal depression and child mental health from pregnancy to child age 7: a study of three life course frameworks

Abstract

Purpose: Maternal depression is associated with mental health difficulties in children, but it is unclear how the timing or duration of depressive symptoms impact child outcomes. This study tested three life course frameworks in the longitudinal association between maternal depression and child mental health: sensitive periods, accumulation, and chain of risk. Methods: 841 mother-child dyads in Pakistan were followed from pregnancy through child age 7. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed during the third trimester of pregnancy, infancy (3 and 6 months postpartum), early childhood (child age 2 and 3), and middle childhood (child age 4 and 6). Child mental health difficulties were measu..