Maternal emotional availability and perinatal depressive symptoms as predictors of early childhood executive function

Josephine Power; Stuart Watson; Wai Chen; Andrew J. Lewis; Marinus H. van IJzendoorn; Megan Galbally

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.044

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Maternal emotional availability and perinatal depressive symptoms as predictors of early childhood executive function

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Maternal emotional availability and perinatal depressive symptoms as predictors of early childhood executive function

Josephine Power, Stuart Watson, Wai Chen, Andrew J. Lewis, Marinus H. van IJzendoorn and Megan Galbally

Journal of affective disorders, Vol.365, pp.332-340

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.044

PMID: 39178959

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Abstract

Child development

Executive function

Perinatal depression

Background The interconnected effects of maternal perinatal depression and the early mother-infant relational quality on children's executive function development are crucial yet understudied. This study addresses this gap, focusing on how perinatal depressive symptoms and emotional availability at 6 months predict child executive function performance at age four, with an emphasis on the moderating role of emotional availability. Method This study included 282 mother-infant pairs recruited from the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study, utilising repeated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale measurement over the perinatal period, Emotional Availability Scales, and child executive function assessments (Shape School, NEPSY-II, Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity scale, inattentive subscale). Latent growth curve analysis incorporated controls for socioeconomic status and maternal cognitive abilities, and moderation effects were examined through multiplicative interaction terms. Results We found that emotional availability influences children's executive function, specifically switching, motor inhibition, and inattentive symptoms, irrespective of maternal depressive symptom changes. This effect is further nuanced by emotional availability's moderating role in the association between depressive symptom change and switching. Limitations The study's limitations include a relatively small sample size for moderation analysis and the exclusion of paternal influences. Conclusion This study is a significant step in understanding the profound influence of maternal emotional availability in infancy on child executive function development, offering new avenues for research and, if replicated, a foundation for innovative intervention approaches.

Details

Title: Maternal emotional availability and perinatal depressive symptoms as predictors of early childhood executive function
Authors/Creators: Josephine Power - Monash Health
Stuart Watson - Murdoch University
Wai Chen - The University of Notre Dame Australia
Andrew J. Lewis - Federation University
Marinus H. van IJzendoorn - Monash University
Megan Galbally - Monash University
Publication Details: Journal of affective disorders, Vol.365, pp.332-340
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Identifiers: 991005695149107891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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