Pregnant mums with depression more likely to have violent kids

Mums who suffer from depression during pregnancy are more likely to have children who display violent behaviour in later life.

The study from researchers at the University of Bristol, Cardiff University and King’s College London, also discovered that women who are aggressive during their teenage years are more likely to become depressed during pregnancy.

Professor of Psychology at Cardiff University, Professor Dale F. Hay said; “Much attention has been given to the effects of postnatal depression on young infants but depression during pregnancy may also affect the unborn child.”

The study looked at 120 young people from inner-city areas whose mothers were interviewed during pregnancy, after birth and when their children were 4, 11 and 16 years of age.

Mothers who became depressed during pregnancy were four times as likely to have boys or girls that behaved in a violent manner at 16 years of age.

The research appears in the January/February 2010 issue of the journal Child Development.

Professor Hay added: “Although it’s not yet clear exactly how depression in pregnancy might set infants on a pathway toward increased antisocial behaviour, our findings suggest that women with a history of conduct problems who become depressed in pregnancy may be in special need of support.”