A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign highlights the long-term impact of early maternal depression on children, emphasizing the critical need for timely support for affected mothers.
Up to 25% of new mothers experience postpartum depression, which can profoundly affect their parenting and their children’s well-being. According to recent research conducted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the repercussions of this depression can extend far beyond the early months, potentially contributing to emotional overeating in children.
“We wanted to explore how mother’s early postpartum depression might influence children’s executive function and emotional overeating, focusing on the psychological mechanisms driving the effects,” lead author Samantha Iwinski, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Illinois, said in a news release.
The study, part of the Midwest STRONG Kids2 project, included families who provided data on maternal postpartum depression at six weeks postpartum, their children’s emotional functioning at 24 months, and their eating behaviors at 48 months.
The researchers used the biopsychosocial pathways model to understand how interactions between biological, psychological and social factors affect health outcomes, including children’s ability to regulate their appetite.
“Emotional overeating is about using food to cope with stress or emotions rather than using it to satisfy hunger. Instead of thinking about food as a source of nourishment or enjoyment, it becomes a coping strategy for negative emotions. If children aren’t able to talk about their emotions or show how they really feel, they may react to a stressful situation by grabbing something to eat,” Iwinski added.
Their findings were significant: approximately 12% of mothers in the study met the criteria for postpartum depression at six weeks. This early maternal depression was found to negatively influence children’s executive functions related to inhibition and emotional control by 24 months, and contributed to overeating behaviors by 48 months.
Iwinski elaborated on the concept of executive function.
“Inhibition involves being able to control one’s attention, behaviors and thoughts. This can include doing what may be appropriate in a given situation, which may involve overriding internal predispositions,” she added. “For example, if a child is doing their homework and the TV is playing, they can direct their attention and focus on their homework rather than the TV. Emotional control is about being able to regulate oneself when certain situations are happening; for example, crying might help in response to distress.”
The research suggested both indirect effects on eating behavior via impaired executive functioning and direct effects of maternal depression on children’s overeating. The researchers pointed out that women with postpartum depression might respond less effectively to their children’s cognitive and emotional needs and may exhibit appetite fluctuations, thus modeling this behavior for their children.
These findings underscore the necessity of early intervention and support for mothers grappling with depression.
“By supporting the mother’s mental health, we’re really supporting the families, because of the long-term effects on children. It’s important to have early identification of what might be happening in order to help families teach their children healthy strategies for coping with emotions, such as play, mindfulness or even just talking about our feelings,” added Iwinski.
Furthermore, she noted that support from teachers and other adults is crucial.
“Teachers and other supportive adults can also participate in supporting children and families,” she added. “For example, they can be looking at eating patterns, noticing how children might be reacting in certain situations, and if food might be a coping mechanism for them. They can then use that information to talk about other ways to deal with emotions and bring the family more into the conversation.”
The research, published in the journal Eating Behaviors, highlights the intricate ways maternal mental health can ripple through family dynamics, affecting children’s development and behavior. It underscores the importance of addressing postpartum depression not just for the mother’s sake but for fostering a healthier future generation.
Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign