Maternal depression

To improve children’s developmental outcomes, prevention and intervention approaches should focus on improving the quality of mother-infant interactions.

As a preventive measure, education about the beneficial effect of a healthy pregnancy should be available to parents (especially new parents). Effective skills, best child-rearing practices, and discipline should be emphasized to better prepare them for their parenting role. Women with histories of depression might especially benefit from these preventive interventions when they are considering pregnancy, in order to help reduce the likelihood of maternal depression.

Currently, the research evidence for improving mother-child interaction quality favours interventions that improve parenting skills. Evidence suggests that home visits by community workers/nurses enhance maternal sensitivity and attachment security in children. As well, considering that paternal involvement can reduce the impact of maternal depression in children’s functioning, support and encouragement by other family members should be offered to the mother.

Although intervention approaches have indicated improvements in children’s development, it is important to keep in mind that there are wide variations in outcomes in children exposed to maternal depression. None of the interventions (e.g., home visiting or family therapy) have the same effect on all children. Policy makers should therefore value the importance of flexibility in treatment and policy.

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• How important is it?
• What do we know?
• According to expert