Impact of parental psychiatric illness on infant development

Abstract

The impact of maternal mental health on parenting and infant development is significant. Whilst all women experience a range of emotions during their transition to parenthood, some will develop symptoms of anxiety and depression that resolve themselves over time, whereas others may develop a mental health disorder that requires treatment. This chapter will consider a range of perinatal mental health disorders both antenatally and postnatally and their effect on the developing infant. High and low prevalence disorders will be covered (including major depressive disorders and psychotic illnesses) as well as the particular difficulties women with borderline personality experience (BPD) when parenting. The latter condition is particularly associated with maternal emotional dysregulation postnatally (Yelland et al. Australas Psychiatry, 2015) and has profound effects on parenting capacity and infant development (Newman et al. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 45:109–22, 2011).A range of mechanisms and factors that mediate or moderate the association between maternal psychiatric disorders and infant outcomes will be considered, including the significance of the early mother-infant relationship and psychosocial factors that often contribute to the development of mental health disorders (Robertson et al. (Gen Hosp Psychiat 26: 289–295, 2004); Beck (Nurs Res 50:275–285, 2001); Beck (Nurs Res 45:225–230, 1996); O’Hara and Swain (Int Rev Psychiatry 8:37–54, 1996)). Implications for treatment will also be covered.