Online Program

292661
Adolescent and young adult maternal depression, childhood trauma experiences, and children's social/emotional development: Findings and implications from a multi-site, longitudinal, prospective study


Monday, November 4, 2013

Robin Gaines Lanzi, PhD, MPH, Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Shannon Carothers, PhD, Department of Human Relations, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Loral Patchen, CNM, Ob/Gyn, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, DC
Depressive symptomatology rates among indigent mothers of young children are in the range of 40 – 50 percent, with a 2-to-3 fold increased risk for depression in their children2. In the proposed presentation, we examine possible relationships among predictor variables (race/ethnicity, exposure to childhood trauma, prenatal and postpartum depression) and children's behavior problems 12-months after the birth of a participant's first child and conduct an in-depth exploration of specific childhood trauma experiences among first-time mothers whose children were reported to have clinical-level child behavior problems compared to those who did not. This represents a landmark 4-site NICHD prospective longitudinal study of early predictors of parenting among first children born to 290 adolescent and young adult mothers matched in terms of race/ethnicity and education, and includes multiple measures including direct observation, interviews, self-report, and developmental assessment. Mothers were recruited during pregnancy in four communities that varied in size, composition, and geographical location and form a diverse sample: 15.3% White/non-Hispanic mothers, 68.5% African American mothers, and 16.2% Hispanic/Latino mothers. 39% reported excessive exposure to trauma during their childhoods; at prenatal and 6-months, 20.7% and 12.5% reported moderate-severe depression; 5% reported suicidal ideation prenatally. At twelve months postpartum, 61.7% reported child behavior problems at clinical levels. Significant relationships among predictor variables and children's behavior problems 12-months after the birth of first child were found (Tables 1-3). Conclusions and recommendations for addressing the mental health needs of children and adults from different developmental stages in terms of research, clinical practice, and education are presented.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the relationships among predictor variables (race/ethnicity, exposure to childhood trauma, prenatal and postpartum depression) and children’s behavior problems 12-months after the birth of a participant’s first child Identify most salient factors associated with clinical child behavior problems Discuss conclusions and recommendations for addressing the mental health needs of children and adults from different developmental stages in terms of research, clinical practice, and education

Keyword(s): Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have served as Co-Principal Investigator on the NICHD Parenting for the First Time Project for the entire project. I have a PhD in developmental psychology and MPH in maternal and child health. I have published numerous papers on maternal depression and child outcomes.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.