Emotions of Mother May Have Long-Term Effects on Temperament of Child

A study performed by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, UCLA and the Maternal Fetal Medicine department at Cedars Sinai Hospital found a possible connection between stress and depression experienced by the mother during pregnancy and the child’s temperament after birth.

Temperament has long been known to be connected to a person’s risk of emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. What hasn’t been understood is what role nature plays in temperament versus the role of nurture. This study set out to see what role, if any, nature plays in the development of temperament.

Maternal psychological experiences of anxiety, depression and stress were measured along with stress hormone levels across a sample of 247 mothers. The levels were evaluated at several different points during pregnancy and again at 2 months postpartum.

Results showed that maternal stress hormone levels were significantly associated with infant negative reactivity. Infant negative reactivity was measured using the fear subscale of the Infant Temperament Questionnaire. Anxiety and depression experienced by the mother also appear to have an effect on an infant’s temperament.

This preliminary research shows a link between nature and eventual risk of emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. It also shows that more intensive prenatal emotional care may be needed to help tackle the emotional health issues in the United States long-term. If mothers are given more comprehensive prenatal care that includes emotional health care, the risk of emotional disorders in their children may be greatly reduced.

© Copyright 2007 Insight Journal Online Magazine.

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