Maternal depressive symptoms and participation in Early Intervention services for young children

Few studies have examined the prevalence and effect of depressive symptoms among mothers whose children are eligible to receive early intervention (EI) services. We analyzed data from over 1,000 participants in the Early Child Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort. Validated scales were used to measure maternal depressive symptoms at 9 and 24 months after delivery. Birth weight <1500 grams, an established medical condition associated with developmental delay, or low scores on a standardized measure of developmental performance were used to define EI service eligibility. Receipt of services was ascertained based on parental self-report. We used weighted Chi square tests and multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between maternal depressive symptoms and EI participation. The estimated weighted prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms among mothers with children eligible for EI services was 18% at 9 months after delivery and 10.5% at 2 years postpartum. Contrary to the study's hypothesis, in preliminary analyses, EI-eligible children of depressed mothers were more likely to receive EI services than eligible children whose mothers were not depressed. For example, at 24 months, EI-eligible children whose mothers had clinically significant depressive symptoms were 25% more likely to receive EI services compared to those whose mothers had no depressive symptoms (22% versus 18%). Future multivariable analyses will explore how sociodemographic factors, health characteristics, and severity of the child's EI developmental delay influence the relationship of maternal depressive symptoms with EI service receipt. EI programs may represent an important setting in which to address maternal emotional health concerns.