Exploring moderators of the intergenerational effects of perinatal maternal symptoms of depression on child negative affect

• In Event: Poster Session 09
  In Poster Session: PS 09 Topic - Family Context & Processes

Abstract

Background: It is well-established that child development begins before birth through prenatal programming. Researchers have theorized that the prenatal environment prepares the offspring for the postnatal environment and affects responses to the postnatal environment, and therefore influences developmental outcomes (Gluckman, Hanson, & Spencer, 2005). Other researchers posit that prenatal and postnatal stress cumulatively confers risk for less favorable developmental outcomes (Shonkoff et al., 2012). While maternal symptoms of depression during pregnancy have been associated with greater negative affect in offspring, few studies examine the interactive effects of the prenatal and postnatal factors on child negative affect. In this study, we will test whether the associations between maternal perinatal symptoms of depression and child negative affect are modified by postnatal factors and will test which postnatal factors most strongly modify this association.

Methods: The sample includes a subset of mother-child pairs recruited by the Community Child Health Network research project that were also enrolled in a follow-up study of subsequent child development (n = 114). A majority of the sample is foreign-born Latina (37.7%), Black (20.2%), or US-born Latina (8.8%). The average per capita household income is approximately $13,000 (SD = $13,302). Study visits occurred during the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy, once postpartum, and at an early childhood visit (M child age = 3.83; M mother age = 33.0). Maternal interviews and standardized child developmental assessments were collected at home visits.

Planned Analyses: Data for the current study are collected and completion of analyses is feasible. Previous analyses of the current sample revealed that maternal symptoms of depression during pregnancy and postpartum are associated with greater child negative affect between ages 3 and 4. First, we will conduct latent factor analysis on multiple postnatal measures (e.g., chronic stress, stressful life events, home environment, and parenting behaviors). Then, we will examine our hypothesis that postnatal factors will moderate the association between maternal perinatal symptoms of depression and child negative affect. More specifically, we will test whether the intergenerational association between maternal perinatal symptoms of depression and child negative affect is stronger under more adverse postnatal conditions and weaker under more favorable conditions.

Implications: Maternal perinatal symptoms of depression are associated with less favorable offspring development, but little is known about whether this association is moderated by postnatal factors. The current study innovates by examining multiple postnatal factors as moderators of the association between maternal prenatal and postpartum symptoms of depression and child negative affect. This study will identify which postnatal factors modify effects on negative affect among offspring exposed to maternal perinatal symptoms of depression and potentially inform areas of intervention to promote optimal child development.

Authors

• Gabrielle Rose Rinne, University of California - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author

• Nicole Mahrer, University of La Verne
  Non-Presenting Author

• Madeleine U. Shalowitz, NorthShore University HealthSystem
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sharon L. Ramey, Virginia Tech
  Non-Presenting Author

• Chris Dunkel Schetter, University of California - Los Angeles
  Non-Presenting Author