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Observational Study
. 2018 Nov;89(6):2118-2135.
doi: 10.1111/cdev.12895. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

Family Context Moderates the Association of Maternal Postpartum Depression and Stability of Infant Temperament

Stephanie H Parade  1 , Laura M Armstrong  2 , Susan Dickstein  1 , Ronald Seifer  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

Family Context Moderates the Association of Maternal Postpartum Depression and Stability of Infant Temperament

Stephanie H Parade et al. Child Dev. 2018 Nov.

Abstract

Maternal postpartum depression, maternal sensitivity, and family functioning were examined as predictors of the stability of observed infant temperament over the first 30 months of life (N = 147 families). Eight observations at 8, 15, and 30 months postpartum were used to assess infant temperament. Structured clinical interviews were used to assess maternal depression, and observational assessments were used to assess family functioning and maternal sensitivity. Family context moderated the effect of maternal depression on change in infant temperament. Maternal depression was associated with change in infant temperament when maternal sensitivity was low but not when maternal sensitivity was high. Family functioning similarly moderated these links. Results underscore the centrality of the family context in shaping child behavior over time.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Maternal postpartum depression is associated with change in infant temperament when maternal sensitivity is low
Figure 2
Figure 2
Maternal postpartum depression is associated with change in infant temperament when family functioning is low
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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