Investigating the Relationship Between Maternal Depression, Infant Social and Emotional Development, and Maternal Role Satisfaction

Postpartum depression affects approximately 15% of the childbearing population in the United States and has been linked to a number of negative maternal and infant outcomes. Mothers who rate low in areas of confidence and self-efficacy tend to have lower satisfaction and view their infants as having more negative temperaments. Infants of depressed mothers have been found to have delays in social and emotional growth which can impair their health and future developmental outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is any evidence to support the hypothesis that maternal depression is associated with infant social and emotional development and maternal role satisfaction among low-income women in rural Arizona. This study employed a repeated measures correlational descriptive prospective longitudinal design using chart reviews analyzing existing clinical data. Purposive sampling was used to select charts of women who participated in the Verde Valley Medical Center branch of the Arizona Healthy Families program. Chart reviews were used to identify charts that met the inclusion criteria of mothers and their infants who completed at least 18 months of the Arizona Healthy Families Program. Findings of this study indicated evidence of a relationship between depression, infant social and emotional development, and maternal role satisfaction. Mothers who had infants that scored higher, with higher being indicative of concern, on the Ages & Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional Edition 2 (ASQ:SE 2) had lower role satisfaction scores on the Healthy Families Parenting Inventory (HFPI) and mothers who indicated dissatisfaction at 6 months postpartum were more likely to continue to indicate lower maternal satisfaction at 12 and 18 months postpartum when infant ASQ:SE 2 scores were higher. Investigating the role of the visiting service providers, such as Healthy Families, and their impact on young families for risk identification and resource support will provide information to policy and lawmakers to aid in decisions for funding and help support young families with the goal of growing strong, healthy families in healthcare deserts like rural Arizona. Keywords: Postpartum depression, maternal depression, infant social and emotional development, maternal role, maternal role satisfaction