MONTREAL/May 9, 2007—
Postpartum depression can have lasting effects on newborns, long after their mothers have recovered, according to researchers from Concordia University (Montreal) and the University of Iowa (Iowa City).
In the first North American study of its kind, researchers tested a drug-free therapy program that helps mothers recover from depression to see whether it would also improve their parenting outlooks. Researchers were surprised to discover that successful therapy for mothers with postpartum depression (PPD) was not enough to protect their relationships with their babies, and that a mother's early impressions of her newborn could linger for years.
ìThese results are important as postpartum mothers are more likely to have negative views of their babies, such as finding their newborns fussy,î explains lead author David Forman, a Canada Research Chair in Human Development and a psychology professor at Concordia University. ìA mother's view of her child remains surprisingly constant over time ñ like a self-fulfilling prophecy. If she finds her newborn difficult that baby can grow up to be a difficult child or teenager.î
The researchers studied 157 mothers with six-month-old babies, two-thirds of whom were suffering from PPD. The depressed mothers were given Interpersonal Psychotherapy, a short-term treatment that was very effective at relieving the depression. Despite the fact that the mothers got well, their responsiveness to their babies did not automatically improve and they continued to view their babies as very fussy.
Researchers interviewed the mothers again when their children were two years old. Generally speaking, the children of the depressed mothers were still rated as emotionally negative and were more likely to show behavioural problems than children of mothers who suffered no PPD. The depressed mothers also reported that their toddlers were less securely attached to them, even though the parents had now received treatment, and most of them were depression free.
These findings are especially significant as approximately seven percent of mothers in North America suffer from major depression in the postpartum period. The researchers believe, however, that some of these difficulties can be overcome. Other published studies have found that including parenting help with treatment can promote child development, and a different study with older children did show a benefit to children of treating mothers. ìThe important thing,î says Forman ìis that some of these families will continue to need more help, and that we should not assume the children will be fine, once mothers begin to feel better.î
The study, titled, ìEffective treatment for postpartum depression is not sufficient to improve the developing mother-child relationshipî was published in the Spring issue of the journal Development and Psychopathology. For more information, please contact Dr. David Forman at 514-848-2424 ext. 2248 or David.Forman@concordia.ca.
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Source :
Tanya Churchmuch
Senior Media Relations Advisor
Concordia University
