McGrath, J., Records, K., & Rice, M. (2008). Infant Behavior and Development, 31, 71-80.
This was a longitudinal study from the third trimester of pregnancy through 8 months postpartum regarding maternal depression and infant temperament. One hundred thirty-nine women were studied and screened using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at 2 and 6 months after birth and using the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depressed Mood Scale during the third trimester of pregnancy. Women were also asked to rate their infant's characteristics and their childcare stress at 2 and 6 months postpartum. They found that mothers' reports of infant temperament were significantly different for depressed and nondepressed mothers, with depressed mothers rating their infants as more difficult than nondepressed mothers. There were no significant differences in childcare stress or perceived support between the groups, and infant temperament and childcare stress did not change over time. Nurses and midwives need to implement creative interventions to improve detection of maternal depression during the postpartum period and simultaneous maternal assessment of perceived infant temperament. The authors recommended further research to explore whether the relationship experienced between mother and infants is similar in different ethnic groups and what interventions might be implemented to support mothers and infants during the early postpartum period when mothers are trying to adapt to the new responsibilities brought to the family by the new baby.
Arwa Oweis