EFFECTS OF MATERNAL DEPRESSION ON CHILD LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1593523200110

• Palavras-chave: Child Development, Child Language, Mental Health, Postpartum Depression, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

• Keywords: Child Development, Child Language, Mental Health, Postpartum Depression, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

• Abstract:

  Objectives

  This study aimed to evaluate the early development of children whose mothers have been diagnosed with depression, focusing specifically on language development. Moreover, it aimed to characterize the bond between mother and children in cases of self-reported maternal depression, as well as to relate different fields of infant development
  (motor skills, problem-solving, personal/social) with language development.

  Methods and Procedures
  This research was conducted with the approval of the Ethics Committee (CAEE 57009122.1.0000.0068). The data collection was conducted remotely, via online questionnaire, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The sample space was comprised of 47 participants, patients of the Phonoaudiological Investigation Laboratory for Primary Healthcare
  (LIF-APS, in the Portuguese acronym) of the São Paulo University School of Medicine, as well as convenience samples.
  Criteria for inclusion: children of mothers with maternal depression, with ages ranging between 6 months and 3 years 11 months, children of mothers with cases of self-reported maternal depression, accompanied by a consenting adult available to fill in the online questionnaire. Criteria for exclusion: non-consent regarding the TCLE, unfinished questionnaires. The selected instrument for data collection shall be the Ages and Stages Questionnaire III, (ASQ-3), in addition to Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale (EPNDS), according to THE POSTPARTUM BONDING INSTRUMENT (PBI). the data had been analysed by a field-specific competent professional, to verify the effects of maternal depression in infant development, focusing specifically on language development.

  Results

  At least 70.2% of the mothers in the sample have completed higher education, in addition to the fact that 85.1% had access to higher education, 85.1% obtained drug treatment. Mothers with DM, 80.9% are suggestive of severe maternal depression (IMD), while 19.1% are suggestive of mild depression (MBD). For the PBI questionnaire, which aims to score the mother-baby bond, it adds that 53.2% of the bonds are altered. While the fields of child development most affected in the ASQ-3 were "Social Personal" in 27.7% of the sample and "Communication" with 21.3% of the sample.