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

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.