Depression during pregnancy connected to teenage violence
Does being depressed during pregnancy increase your child’s chances of having psychological problems later in life? According to a recent study conducted at the Cardiff University School of Psychology in Wales, the answer is yes.
Specifically, the study looked at 120 British adolescents, 40 of whom had been either arrested or diagnosed with conduct disorders, and 18 of whom had committed violence. When these kids’ parents were questioned, it was found that depression during pregnancy strongly predicted disorders and violence. And because the researchers controlled for other factors that typically increase the risk of these problems, the connection appears to be more than mere correlation.
What could explain this connection, and what can mothers-to-be do to prevent this problem?
A predisposition to violence
There are two sides to this connection. First, there’s the genetic link. Of course, it’s well documented that mental illness can be passed through genes, and this includes the types of illnesses that lead to conduct disorders and violence. Still, while effects of mothers’ pregnancy behaviors are difficult to establish, the Cardiff researchers note that “fetal programming effects linked to the mother’s depression in pregnancy . . . are more likely to influence overt aggression than other forms of rule-breaking.”
In other words, while other types of antisocial behavior are typically learned, aggression is more commonly a predisposition. Thus, the high correlation between maternal pregnancy and teen violence suggests that kids can be predisposed to aggression by the pregnant mother’s mood and behaviors.
Poor health during pregnancy
The other half of the equation is the mother’s physical health during pregnancy. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, when depressed, a pregnant woman is more likely to:
- eat poorly;
- be underweight
- not sleep enough;
- fail to see a doctor as much as she should;
- neglect to follow medical instructions;
- use harmful substances like alcohol, drugs, or tobacco.
All of these things can lead to complications during pregnancy and delivery, and they can also lead to poor health and delayed development for the baby, both before and after birth. Naturally, some of these effects would be manifested in the child’s psychology.
Post-birth mental illness
Even when the mother is able to avoid depression or unhealthy behaviour during pregnancy, post-natal mental health can also have tremendous effects on children’s psychological development. In the same Cardiff University study, the researchers note that the children who had committed violent acts were “more likely than nonviolent children . . . to have been exposed to recurring episodes of maternal illness and to have mothers with a history of conduct problems.” So, while some of this may be genetic and physical, there’s also the power of parental influence.
And of course, it’s not just the mother. According to a separate study conducted at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, children who have two mentally ill parents face the biggest difficulties.
The researchers write that while “a father in better mental health may buffer the influence of a mother’s poorer mental health,” the problems “seem to be most severe for children who have 2 parents with poorer mental health.” In these cases, the researchers recommend, children may need to receive special pediatric treatment early in life.
Solutions?
The Public Health Agency of Canada reminds us “a woman’s symptoms of depression will fluctuate during pregnancy. She may improve, then have more symptoms and improve again.” In other words, intermittent depression is nothing to be alarmed about, and even with treatment a pregnant woman can expect to experience mood fluctuations.
In any case, it’s important to seek treatment for depression that lasts longer than 3 weeks. While one must be careful about taking medication during pregnancy, in severe cases, doctors may recommend a mild antidepressant. Outside of that, therapy with a depression specialist can be helpful. and it’s also good to have a supportive, sympathetic partner.
Image courtesy of mahalie via Flickr
- Staff -