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Children
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Updates on Perinatal Depression and Child Developmental Disorders
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Updates on Perinatal Depression and Child Developmental Disorders

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2023) | Viewed by 22351

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Franca Aceti

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Guest Editor
Department of Human Neurosciences, Unit of Post-Partum Disorders, Sapienza University of Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: perinatal depression; postpartum disorders; treatment of maternal depression
Dr. Carla Sogos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neuroscience, Section of Child Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
Interests: autism spectrum disorder; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; neurodevelopmental disorders; child psychopathology; treatment in child psychiatry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marco Tofani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: disability; occupational therapy; rehabilitation; neurorehabilitation; outcome measures; assistive technology; migration; hand therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

On behalf of the editorial team of the Journal Children, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Special Issue “Updates on Perinatal Depression and Child Developmental Disorders” led by Dr. Franca Aceti, Dr. Carla Sogos and Dr. Dr. Marco Tofani (Sapienza University of Rome). As Guest Editors, we are particularly pleased to launch this issue because it focuses on a crucial topic and because it highlights the importance of continued clinical cooperation between adult psychiatry and child psychiatry.

There is much literature evidence showing that early-onset depression determines emotional and cognitive vulnerability for psychiatric disorders in subsequent years. Development studies of adults, adolescents, children and pre-schoolers all identify a family history of depression and exposure to stressful life events as the most robust risk factors for depression. Perinatal mental health is a topic of growing interest, with distinct clinical conditions that could affect mothers in such a period of high vulnerability. Perinatal depression is a frequent and debilitating mental disorder that has become a significant public health concern, especially in developed Western countries, where it has a prevalence of 10 to 20 percent. Important risk factors for perinatal depression include depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy, previous history of depression, life stressors, lack of social support, and problematic couple life.

A major challenge is to collect experiences and research on mother–child care units and emotional and cognitive child development, and then translate this knowledge into evidence-based, combined and effective treatment designs. Mother–child-specific support, habilitation and educational approaches, and models of psychosocial support networks that can reduce risk for mental illnesses all need further investigation.

Researchers and authors are invited to submit original research and literature reviews on intervention approaches in postpartum disorders and emotional and neurodevelopmental disorders in children that may have a significant impact on clinical presentation, diagnostic tools, or novel therapeutics.

Dr. Franca Aceti
Dr. Carla Sogos
Dr. Marco Tofani
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • postpartum disorders
  • perinatal depression
  • early-onset depression
  • psychosocial support network
  • problematic couple life
  • child emotional and neurodevelopmental vulnerability
  • mother–child relationship

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 572 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Effects of Maternal Depression during Postpartum and Early Parenthood Period on Child Socioemotional Development
by Anna Suarez, Liubov Shraibman and Vera Yakupova
Children 2023, 10(10), 1718; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101718 - 23 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3838
Abstract
Most research on the impact of maternal depressive symptoms on child development is conducted during the first year postpartum. Findings on long-term effects of maternal depression are still contradictory and underexplored. The present study investigates the long-term impact of maternal depression during the [...] Read more.
Most research on the impact of maternal depressive symptoms on child development is conducted during the first year postpartum. Findings on long-term effects of maternal depression are still contradictory and underexplored. The present study investigates the long-term impact of maternal depression during the postpartum and early parenthood periods on child behavioral problems at the mean age of 2.25 years. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale and Beck depression Inventory were used to assess postpartum and early parenthood depression, respectively. The Child Behavior Checklist was used to examine child’s behavioral problems. The regression analysis showed statistically significant associations between child behavioral problems and maternal depression during early parenthood and no significant associations with postpartum depression. Four maternal depressive symptoms’ trajectories were identified: consistently low, consistently high, decreased, and increased. The children of mothers with consistently high depressive symptoms at both research stages had the most significant total, internalizing, and externalizing problems. Children of mothers whose depressive symptoms decreased over time had the lowest scores in all three domains of behavioral problems. It is extremely important to implement programs for screening and early intervention for maternal mental health problems that could greatly influence the well-being of women and their children’s development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Perinatal Depression and Child Developmental Disorders)
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13 pages, 2606 KiB  
Article
Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI): Italian Translation and Validation
by Antonella Lamboglia, Roberta Romano, Donatella Valente, Anna Berardi, Gioia Cavalli, Federica Giovannone, Carla Sogos, Marco Tofani and Giovanni Galeoto
Children 2023, 10(7), 1201; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071201 - 11 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4216
Abstract
Food selectivity is among the most common problems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The present study aims to validate the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) in an Italian population of children with ASD. BAMBI was translated and cross-culturally adapted following [...] Read more.
Food selectivity is among the most common problems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The present study aims to validate the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) in an Italian population of children with ASD. BAMBI was translated and cross-culturally adapted following international guidelines, then we investigated internal consistency as measured by Cronbach’s alpha and test–retest reliability, as measured by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) in a sample of both children with ASD and with typical development (TD). A total of 131 children were recruited in a clinical and community sample. Internal consistency revealed significant data for both TD and ASD children, with a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.86 and 0.71, respectively. Test–retest reliability showed excellent values for each item of the BAMBI (range 0.83–1.00). Furthermore, we investigated differences in gender and body max index; however, no significant differences were found among groups. In conclusion, the Italian version of the BAMBI showed good internal consistency and test–retest reliability and it can be used for clinical and research purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Perinatal Depression and Child Developmental Disorders)
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17 pages, 1015 KiB  
Article
Supporting Depressed Mothers of Young Children with Intellectual Disability: Feasibility of an Integrated Parenting Intervention in a Low-Income Setting
by Nasim Chaudhry, Rabia Sattar, Tayyeba Kiran, Ming Wai Wan, Mina Husain, Sobia Hidayatullah, Bushra Ali, Nadia Shafique, Zamir Suhag, Qamar Saeed, Shazia Maqbool and Nusrat Husain
Children 2023, 10(6), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10060913 - 23 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2431
Abstract
As a lifelong condition, intellectual disability (ID) remains a public health priority. Parents caring for children with ID experience serious challenges to their wellbeing, including depression, anxiety, stress and health-related quality of life. Integrated parenting interventions, which have been well evidenced for depressed [...] Read more.
As a lifelong condition, intellectual disability (ID) remains a public health priority. Parents caring for children with ID experience serious challenges to their wellbeing, including depression, anxiety, stress and health-related quality of life. Integrated parenting interventions, which have been well evidenced for depressed mothers, may also effectively support depressed parents with a child with ID in low-resource settings such as Pakistan, and in turn optimise child outcomes. We conducted a mixed-method rater-blind feasibility randomised controlled trial, which assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the Learning Through Play in My Own Way Plus (LTP-IMOW Plus) intervention. Mothers who screened positive for depression (n = 26) with a young child (age 3–6 years) with ID were recruited from two low-resource community settings. Participants in the intervention arm (n = 13) received 12 group sessions of LTP-IMOW Plus and others (n = 13) received routine care. The intervention was feasible and acceptable with 100% retention and 100% session attendance. The intervention improved depression, anxiety, parenting stress and child socialisation score outcomes relative to the routine care arm. The framework utilised to analyse the qualitative interviews with seven participants at pre-intervention identified a range of struggles experienced by the mothers, and at post-intervention, found improved knowledge of child development and practices, improved mother–child relationships, recommendations for the intervention and perceived practical barriers and facilitators. The findings highlight the prospects for a clinical and cost-effective trial of an integrated parenting intervention to manage long-term parental mental health needs and improve child outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Perinatal Depression and Child Developmental Disorders)
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13 pages, 581 KiB  
Article
Parental Pre and Postnatal Depression: The Longitudinal Associations with Child Negative Affectivity and Dysfunctional Mother–Child Feeding Interactions
by Loredana Lucarelli, Laura Vismara, Irene Chatoor and Cristina Sechi
Children 2023, 10(3), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030565 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2016
Abstract
Background: Many studies have shown the influence of maternal perinatal depression on a child’s emotional and behavioral regulation ability; yet there is scarce research on the impact of the father’s perinatal depression on the caregiver–infant relationship and the child’s development. Methods: Through a [...] Read more.
Background: Many studies have shown the influence of maternal perinatal depression on a child’s emotional and behavioral regulation ability; yet there is scarce research on the impact of the father’s perinatal depression on the caregiver–infant relationship and the child’s development. Methods: Through a longitudinal study, we investigated maternal and paternal depression and its association with infants’ emotionality and mother–infant feeding interactions The sample was constituted of 136 first-time parents (68 couples, and their full-term babies at 3 and 6 months old). At T1 (28th week of pregnancy), T2 (three months old), and T3 (at six months age) parents responded to the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. At Times 2 and 3, mothers and fathers completed the Infant Behavior Questionnaire, and recorded mother–infant interactions were coded by means of the Feeding Scale. Results: Statistical analyses indicated stability of maternal and paternal depression over time. Correlations emerged between mother’s higher depression scores, negative affective state during interactions at three months age, infant food refusal and mother–infant interactional conflict at six months age. Paternal higher depressive scores were associated with the mother–child interactional conflict. To finish, higher parental depression scores were related with infant negative emotionality. Conclusion: The current study confirms the relevance of embracing a cumulative risk model to support the child’s development with early caregiver-child interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Perinatal Depression and Child Developmental Disorders)
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11 pages, 269 KiB  
Article
Perfectionistic Children and Their Parents: Is There Room for an Intergenerational Transmission? A Study of a Clinical Sample of Italian Children and Their Parents
by Melania Martucci, Maria Castellano Visaggi, Giorgia Di Iorio, Mariacarolina Vacca, Valerio Zaccaria, Ignazio Ardizzone and Caterina Lombardo
Children 2023, 10(3), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030460 - 26 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1858
Abstract
Introduction: The relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and Internalizing (ID) and Externalizing Disorders (ED) in children needs to be better understood, along with the intergenerational transmission of these traits from parents to children. The present work aimed to share light on both these issues. [...] Read more.
Introduction: The relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and Internalizing (ID) and Externalizing Disorders (ED) in children needs to be better understood, along with the intergenerational transmission of these traits from parents to children. The present work aimed to share light on both these issues. Method: 39 children with ID, 19 with ED, and their parents were recruited*. The Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Big Five Inventory, the Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale, and the Hierarchical Personality Inventory for Children were used. The association between parent personality and perfectionism traits and children’s perfectionism dimensions was evaluated through hierarchical regression analysis. Results: ID and ED groups did not differ significantly concerning perfectionism. Fathers presented higher scores than mothers in Self-Oriented Perfectionism, Other-Oriented Perfectionism, and Socially-Prescribed Perfectionism. Parents of children with ID report higher levels of Obedience in their children, while parents of children with ED reported higher levels of Creativity and Perseverance. Significant associations were found between perfectionism in parents and their children, as well as between perfectionism and the personality of children. Conclusion: Results suggest a transdiagnostic nature of Perfectionism and support the transgenerational transmission of the personality traits investigated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Perinatal Depression and Child Developmental Disorders)
15 pages, 417 KiB  
Article
The Mother-Baby Bond: Role of Past and Current Relationships
by Emanuela Bianciardi, Francesca Ongaretto, Alberto De Stefano, Alberto Siracusano and Cinzia Niolu
Children 2023, 10(3), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030421 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4491
Abstract
During the perinatal period, up to 25% of women experience difficulties in relating to their child. The mother-child bond promotes the transition to motherhood, protects the woman from depression, and protects the child from the intergenerational transmission of the disease. This study prospectively [...] Read more.
During the perinatal period, up to 25% of women experience difficulties in relating to their child. The mother-child bond promotes the transition to motherhood, protects the woman from depression, and protects the child from the intergenerational transmission of the disease. This study prospectively investigated if the relationship with the co-parent, the attachment style, and the bond that women had with their parents influenced the mother-fetus and then mother-child bond. We also explored the role of depression and anxiety. One hundred nineteen pregnant women were enrolled. We administered clinical interviews and psychometric tools. A telephone interview was conducted at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up. Maternal insecure attachment style (r = −0.253, p = 0.006) and women’s dyadic adjustment in the couple’s relationships (r = 0.182, p = 0.049) were correlated with lower maternal–fetal attachment. Insecure attachment styles and depression correlate with bottle-feeding rather than breastfeeding. The bond women had with their mothers, not their fathers, was associated with breastfeeding. Depression (OR = 0.243, p = 0.008) and anxiety (OR = 0.185, p = 0.004; OR = 0.304, p < 0.0001) were related to mother-infant bonding. Close relationships, past and present, affect the bond with the fetus and the child differently. Psychotherapy can provide reassuring and restorative intersubjective experiences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Perinatal Depression and Child Developmental Disorders)
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9 pages, 360 KiB  
Article
A Link between Parental Psychopathology and Preschool Depression: Take Care of Parents to Take Care of Children
by Melania Martucci, Franca Aceti, Nicoletta Giacchetti, Veronica Scarselli and Carla Sogos
Children 2023, 10(1), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10010150 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2361
Abstract
There is a lot of evidence in the literature showing that early-onset depression determines an emotional and cognitive vulnerability for psychiatric disorders in subsequent years. AIMS: The first aim of this outcome research was to analyze the impact of parental support treatment in [...] Read more.
There is a lot of evidence in the literature showing that early-onset depression determines an emotional and cognitive vulnerability for psychiatric disorders in subsequent years. AIMS: The first aim of this outcome research was to analyze the impact of parental support treatment in a sample of depressed preschool children divided into two groups of comparison (under-reactive and over-reactive) through evolution in the Clinical Global Impression (CGI). The second aim was to analyze the correlation between the presence of parental psychopathology and the severity of children’s disorders. METHODS: Our clinical sample consisted of 32 preschool-age children with a final diagnosis of MDD. The children’s assessment included a psychiatric assessment to establish a diagnosis of MDD, confirmed by means of a semi-structured interview, which was administered again one month after the end of parental treatment. All the parents began a six-month parent training treatment conducted by experienced child psychiatrists, whereas children were not treated. During this period, the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) was filled out monthly in order to observe the evolution of the children’s disorders. Results: Post-hoc tests showed a significant difference from before the treatment to after the treatment only in the over-reactive group (p = 0.00). Regarding parental psychiatric disorders, in the over-reactive group, only 3 children had no parents with psychopathology. In the under-reactive group, no child lacked a parent with psychopathology. Conclusion: Parent training treatment seems to be a valid intervention to improve preschool depression, especially in over-reactive groups, and to prevent dysfunctional parental styles connected to parental psychopathology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Perinatal Depression and Child Developmental Disorders)
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