Cited by 114Infant Development and Preterm CareMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumMaternal and Neonatal Healthcare

Parent–child interaction, maternal depressive symptoms and preterm infant cognitive function

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McManus, Beth M., Poehlmann, Julie·2012·Infant Behavior and Development

Abstract

Preterm infants are at risk for cognitive difficulties due to infant neurological immaturity and family social disadvantage, and this may be exacerbated by maternal depressive symptoms. This longitudinal study of infants born preterm (<35 weeks) or low birth weight (<2500 g) (n = 137) tests if maternal depressive symptoms at 4 months is associated with preterm children's cognitive function at 16 months. Additionally, we test if this association is mediated by the quality of parent-child interaction at 9 months, and if these associations differ by levels of maternal social support. Children's cognitive function was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd edition. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Perceived social support was measured using the Maternal Support scale. The quality of parent-child interaction was measured using the Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment. Linear regression and structural equation modeling were used to test the research questions. Postnatal depression at 4 months is associated with lower cognitive function (mean difference = -5.22, 95% CI: [-10.19, -0.25]) at 16 months controlling for a host of socioeconomic characteristics. For mothers with fewer depressive symptoms, bolstering effects of maternal supports on children's cognitive function were evident. We find no evidence for effect mediation by quality of parent-child interaction. Early exposure to maternal depressive symptoms appears to have a negative influence on preterm children's later cognitive function. These findings suggest important policy and programmatic implications for early detection and intervention for families of preterm infants.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.infbeh.2012.04.005

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  • Many studies indicated significant and negative associations between maternal postpartum depressive symptoms and infant cognitive development, language development, infant behaviors, overall infant health concerns, and quality of sleep.

    “Moreover, many studies indicated significant and negative associations between maternal postpartum depressive symptoms and infant cognitive development,94,95,99,101,102,107,141,147 language development,94,102,105,116,117,131,132,139 infant behaviors,49,52,110,114,120,121,131,133 overall infant health concerns,48,104,119,122–124,135,136,138 and quality of sleep.104,108”

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Authors
McManus, B. M., & Poehlmann, J.
Affiliations
  • Colorado School of Public Health (US)
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
Corresponding author
McManus, Beth M.
Venue
Infant Behavior and Development
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-06
Volume
35
Issue
3
Pages
489-498
ISSN
0163-6383 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2016140293
Cited by
114
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 4
FWCI
4.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Infant Behavior and Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (R01HD44163)
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
Keywords
preterm infants, low birth weight, maternal depressive symptoms, postpartum depression, parent-child interaction, maternal social support, mediation, Bayley Scales of Infant Development, early detection and intervention
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Child Development, Child, Preschool, Cognition Disorders, Depression, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Premature, Male, Mother-Child Relations, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Retrospective Studies, Social Support, Socioeconomic Factors, Reproducibility of Results, Child of Impaired Parents, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Premature Birth, Young Adult

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