Maternal depression during pregnancy and offspring depression in adulthood: Role of child maltreatment
Year: 2015
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that maternal depression during pregnancy predicts offspring depression in adolescence. Child maltreatment is also a risk factor for depression. AIMS: To investigate (a) whether there is an association between offspring exposure to maternal depression in pregnancy and depression in early adulthood, and (b) whether offspring child maltreatment mediates this association. METHOD: Prospectively collected data on maternal clinical depression in pregnancy, offspring child maltreatment and offspring adulthood (18-25 years) DSM-IV depression were analysed in 103 mother-offspring dyads of the South London Child Development Study. RESULTS: Adult offspring exposed to maternal depression in pregnancy were 3.4 times more likely to have a DSM-IV depressive disorder, and 2.4 times more likely to have experienced child maltreatment, compared with non-exposed offspring. Path analysis revealed that offspring experience of child maltreatment mediated the association between exposure to maternal depression in pregnancy and depression in adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal depression in pregnancy is a key vulnerability factor for offspring depression in early adulthood.
Authors: Dominic T. Plant, Carmine M. Pariante, Deborah Sharp, Susan Pawlby
Institutions: King's College London, University of Bristol
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,576
OpenAlex ID: W1857560301