Clarifying The Unique Effects Of Pre- And Postnatal Depression On Pre-Schoolers' Adjustment

This study investigated the possible unique effects of pre-and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms in relation to parenting and children's effortful control in predicting children's adjustment. Contextual risk factors (income, negative life events) were modelled. Mothers and children (N= 306) were assessed four times, including T1 maternal reports of depressive symptoms, T2 observed parenting, T3 behavioural measures of effortful control, and T4 teacher ratings of children's outcomes. Pre- and postnatal contextual risk predicted maternal depression and child adjustment directly. Post- but not prenatal depressive symptoms predicted parenting behaviours. Pre- but not postnatal depressive symptoms predicted children's adjustment. Results suggest that pre- and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms are uniquely associated with parenting and child outcomes. This study asks if pre- and postnatal depressive symptoms effect children's adjustment through mothers' parenting and children's subsequent self-regulation. Multiple methods were utilized and showed that postnatal depressive symptoms predict parenting while prenatal depressive symptoms predict adjustment. Pre- and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms are uniquely associated with parenting and child outcomes.