title: The effect of preterm birth on infant negative affect and maternal postpartum depressive symptoms: A preliminary examination in an underrepresented minority sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of preterm birth on maternal postpartum depressive symptoms and infant negative affect in an underrepresented minority sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 102 mothers and their 3- to 10-month-old infants. Mothers completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relative to normative samples, the current underrepresented minority sample of mostly Hispanics and Blacks displayed high rates of preterm birth (30%) and maternal postpartum depressive symptoms (17%). Preterm birth had a significant direct effect on postpartum depressive symptoms and infant negative affect. Additionally, there was an indirect effect of postpartum depressive symptoms on the relation between preterm birth and infant negative affect. Specifically, lower birth weight and gestational age predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms in the mother, and higher levels of depressive symptoms in the mother, in turn, predicted higher levels of infant negative affect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings emphasize the importance of screening for postpartum depressive symptoms and infant negative affect among mothers and their preterm infants, especially among families from underrepresented minority backgrounds.
authors: Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States. Electronic address: nbarr025@fiu.edu.
authors: Nicole E
authors: NE
authors: Barroso
authors: Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
authors: Chelsey M
authors: CM
authors: Hartley
authors: Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
authors: Daniel M
authors: DM
authors: Bagner
authors: Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
authors: Jeremy W
authors: JW
authors: Pettit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D001724:Birth Weight; D044383:Black People; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Infant negative affect; Minority; Postpartum depression; Preterm birth