Maternal depression trajectories and child executive function over 9 years

Background: The present study aimed to assess the relationship between maternal depression trajectories from pregnancy to 2 years after childbirth and childhood behavioral problems and executive function at 9 years. Methods: Data of mother-child pairs (N = 1191) extracted from the Panel Study on Korean Children (a cohort study) were used. Maternal depression was assessed using the Kessler depression scale during pregnancy and at 6 months, 1 years, and 2 years postpartum. At ages 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 years, the children's behavioral outcomes were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist. The children's executive function was assessed using the Executive Function Difficulty Screening Questionnaire at ages 7, 8, and 9 years. We performed a latent profile analysis to identify maternal depression trajectories and compared the children's behavioral problems and executive function among different trajectories. Results: According to maternal depression trajectory, the mother-child pairs were divided into the no symptom (n = 503), mild symptom (n = 558), and moderate symptom (n = 130) groups. Children of mothers with significant depressive symptoms had severe behavioral problems at ages 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 years. Moreover, compared with children whose mothers were not depressed, those whose mothers had mild or moderate symptoms had impaired executive function at ages 7, 8, and 9 years. Conclusions: Maternal depression up to 2 years after childbirth affects childhood behavior and executive function into middle childhood.