Maternal Mental Health and Early Childhood Development: Exploring Critical Periods and Sources of Support

• In Event: Developmental Psychopathology Perspectives on Externalizing Behavior Problems Among Young Children

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to explore associations between maternal depression and anxiety during early critical periods, child social-emotional and behavioral problems and the moderating roles of financial, instrumental, and partner emotional support.
Methods: A longitudinal data analysis was conducted using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Hierarchical linear regression modeling was used to explore associations between maternal depression and anxiety at one- and three-years postpartum, three unique types of social support, and childhood social-emotional and behavioral problems at 5-years of age (n=2,479).
Results: Mothers who were depressed at one or both timepoints, compared to non-depressed mothers, reported an increased score of 4.57 and 6.83, respectively, on the childhood behavior checklist scale (CBCL) (both p<.01), after controlling for covariates. Anxiety was not significantly associated with CBCL score. Financial, instrumental, and partner emotional support were independently and inversely associated with CBCL score; however, none of these types of support moderated the direct relationship, after controlling for covariates.
Implications: Promoting maternal mental health as well as financial, instrumental, and partner emotional support throughout the first five years of life, instead of one critical period, may positively impact the next generation.

Authors

• Emily M Melnick, University of Colorado Denver
  Presenting Author

• Charlotte Farewell, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jenn Leiferman, University of Colorado Anschutz
  Non-Presenting Author