Childhood problems with affective executive function—the brain’s ability to control and regulate emotions—may at least partially explain the relationship between maternal depression during and after pregnancy, and later depression among offspring, according to a report in the Journal of the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Meredith Han, B.Sc., of the National University of Singapore and Kings College London, and colleagues noted that perinatal depression is an established risk factor for depression among offspring, but the pathway between maternal and later childhood depression has been unknown. This study “identifies executive function as a potential modifiable pathway and leverage point for prevention of depression in at-risk children,” they wrote.
The researchers examined depression and problems with executive function among 739 children of mothers enrolled in Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes, a prospective longitudinal study exploring the developmental origins of health and human capital.
Mothers reported their depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale at 26 to 28 weeks’ gestation, and again three months and 24 months after childbirth. The children’s executive function was assessed at ages 3.5, 4.5, 7, and 8.5 years using validated measurement tools; the researchers assessed “hot” executive function (referring to affective or emotional control and regulation) and “cold” executive function (referring to cognitive skills such as working memory).
Children also self-reported their depressive symptoms at 8.5 and 10 years using the 28-item Child Depression Inventory, Second Edition.
The researchers found that only maternal depressive symptoms before birth were correlated with childhood depression scores; antenatal depression also predicted poorer hot and cold executive function among children. In turn, executive function deficits in children were associated with increased child depressive symptoms. In particular, problems with hot executive function among children accounted for 37.5% of the relationship between antenatal and childhood depression.
The researchers noted that childhood emotional control “strongly associates with greater peer acceptance, more positive friendship quality, and higher academic achievement.” They concluded: “Long-term follow-up of randomized controlled trials of executive function is required to understand whether executive function interventions during childhood directly translate to improvements in emotional functioning.”
For related information, see the Psychiatric News article, “Paid Maternal Leave Improves Health, Mental Health for Both Mothers and Infants.”
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