title: Predictors of persistent maternal depression trajectories in early childhood: results from the EDEN mother-child cohort study in France.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maternal depression in the pre- and postpartum period may set women on a course of chronic depressive symptoms. Little is known about predictors of persistently elevated depressive symptoms in mothers from pregnancy onwards. The aims of this study are to determine maternal depression trajectories from pregnancy to the child's fifth birthday and identify associated risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mothers (N = 1807) from the EDEN mother-child birth cohort study based in France (2003-2011) were followed from 24-28 weeks of pregnancy to their child's fifth birthday. Maternal depression trajectories were determined with a semi-parametric group-based modelling strategy. Sociodemographic, psychosocial and psychiatric predictors were explored for their association with trajectory class membership.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five trajectories of maternal symptoms of depression from pregnancy onwards were identified: no symptoms (60.2%); persistent intermediate-level depressive symptoms (25.2%); persistent high depressive symptoms (5.0%); high symptoms in pregnancy only (4.7%); high symptoms in the child's preschool period only (4.9%). Socio-demographic predictors associated with persistent depression were non-French origin; psychosocial predictors were childhood adversities, life events during pregnancy and work overinvestment; psychiatric predictors were previous mental health problems, psychological help, and high anxiety during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persistent depression in mothers of young children is associated to several risk factors present prior to or during pregnancy, notably anxiety. These characteristics precede depression trajectories and offer a possible entry point to enhance mother's mental health and reduce its burden on children.
authors: Department of Social Epidemiology,INSERM UMR-S 1136,Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health,F-75013 Paris,France.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: van der Waerden
authors: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,Charles Perrens Hospital,F-33000 Bordeaux,France.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Galéra
authors: Sorbonne Universités,UPMC Université Paris 06,F-75005 Paris,France.
authors: M-J
authors: MJ
authors: Saurel-Cubizolles
authors: Bordeaux University,F-33000 Bordeaux,France.
authors: A-L
authors: AL
authors: Sutter-Dallay
authors: Department of Social Epidemiology,INSERM UMR-S 1136,Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health,F-75013 Paris,France.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Melchior
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000069586:Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Longitudinal trajectories; maternal depression; risk factors