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The Effect of Maternal Depression on Infant Attachment: A Systematic Review

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  • Andrzej Śliwerski

    (Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, 91-433 Lodz, Poland)

  • Karolina Kossakowska

    (Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, 91-433 Lodz, Poland)

  • Karolina Jarecka

    (Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, 91-433 Lodz, Poland)

  • Julita Świtalska

    (Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, 91-433 Lodz, Poland)

  • Eleonora Bielawska-Batorowicz

    (Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, 91-433 Lodz, Poland)

Abstract

Aims and objectives : The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the key findings of empirical studies assessing the influence of maternal depression on child attachment security measured before 24 months after birth. Method : The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines. A literature search was conducted on the EBSCO (Academic Search Complete; Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition; MEDLINE; PsycARTICLES) and PubMed databases, with infant attachment AND depression as search terms with Boolean operators. Study design or sample size did not affect inclusion. After screening, 29 of the 1510 unique publications originally identified were included in the review. Results : The studies reveal an equivocal association between maternal depression and child attachment security. Our findings indicate that depression had a significant influence on the attachment style almost only when diagnosed by structured interview: Depression measured by self-descriptive questionnaires was unrelated to attachment style. Furthermore, postpartum depression was found to be significant only when measured up to six months after childbirth. Conclusion : The relationship between maternal depression and infant attachment is both complex and dynamic, and the possible negative effects of depression might be compensated by maternal involvement in childcare. Therefore, further studies in this area should employ a reliable methodology for diagnosing depression and a suitable time point for measuring it; they should also adopt a multifactorial and prospective approach. It is important to note that breastfeeding/formula feeding was omitted as a factor in the majority of studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrzej Śliwerski & Karolina Kossakowska & Karolina Jarecka & Julita Świtalska & Eleonora Bielawska-Batorowicz, 2020. "The Effect of Maternal Depression on Infant Attachment: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-42, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:8:p:2675-:d:345168
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ina S Santos & Cauane Blumenberg & Tiago N Munhoz & Alicia Matijasevich & Hernane G Santos Júnior & Letícia Marques dos Santos & Luciano L Correia & Marta Rovery de Souza & Pedro IC Lira & Caroline , 2023. "Course of depression during the first 2 years postpartum among Brazilian women enrolled in a conditional cash transfer program," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(5), pages 1193-1201, August.
    2. Hanna Przybyła-Basista & Elżbieta Kwiecińska & Michalina Ilska, 2020. "Body Acceptance by Pregnant Women and Their Attitudes toward Pregnancy and Maternity as Predictors of Prenatal Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Linda S. Pagani & Kianoush Harandian & Beatrice Necsa & Marie-Josée Harbec, 2023. "Prospective Associations between Maternal Depressive Symptoms during Early Infancy and Growth Deficiency from Childhood to Adolescence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-13, November.
    4. Cecilia Peñacoba Puente & Carlos Suso-Ribera & Sheila Blanco Rico & Dolores Marín & Jesús San Román Montero & Patricia Catalá, 2021. "Is the Association between Postpartum Depression and Early Maternal–Infant Relationships Contextually Determined by Avoidant Coping in the Mother?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Natalia Ruiz-Segovia & Maria Fe Rodriguez-Muñoz & Maria Eugenia Olivares & Nuria Izquierdo & Pluvio Coronado & Huynh-Nhu Le, 2021. "Healthy Moms and Babies Preventive Psychological Intervention Application: A Study Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-13, November.
    6. Cristina Sechi & Laura Elvira Prino & Luca Rollé & Loredana Lucarelli & Laura Vismara, 2021. "Maternal Attachment Representations during Pregnancy, Perinatal Maternal Depression, and Parenting Stress: Relations to Child’s Attachment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-11, December.
    7. Taylor L. Myers & Tracy R. G. Gladstone & William R. Beardslee, 2023. "The Transition to Adulthood in Children of Depressed Parents: Long-Term Follow-Up Data from the Family Talk Preventive Intervention Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-17, February.
    8. Bárbara Caetano & Mariana Branquinho & Maria Cristina Canavarro & Ana Fonseca, 2022. "Mattering and Depressive Symptoms in Portuguese Postpartum Women: The Indirect Effect of Loneliness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-11, September.

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