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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The positive impact of an intervention for maternal depression on child emotional and behavioral symptoms in a low-resource setting

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Author(s):
Elis Viviane Hoffmann [1] ; Cristiane S. Duarte [2] ; Camila T. Matsuzaka [3] ; Ana Carolina Coelho Milani [4] ; Victor Fossaluza [5] ; Andrea F. Mello [6] ; Marcelo F. Mello
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria - Brasil
[2] Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Estados Unidos
[3] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria - Brasil
[4] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria - Brasil
[5] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Matemática e Estatística - Brasil
[6] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 7
Document type: Journal article
Source: Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria; v. 44, n. 6, p. 590-601, 2022-12-19.
Abstract

Objectives: Children of depressed mothers are at risk of developing mental health problems. We sought to determine whether treatment for maternal depression by community-based health workers would decrease behavioral/emotional symptoms in their children. Interventions for maternal depressive symptoms in a low/middle-income country can have a high global impact. Methods: Community-based health workers were trained to deliver a psychosocial intervention for mothers with depression in a primary care setting. A total of 49 mothers and 60 children were assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 6 months follow-up. Child behavioral/emotional symptoms were evaluated according to type of change in maternal depressive symptoms: response or remission. Results: An overall decrease in maternal depressive symptoms from baseline to post-intervention and 6 months follow-up were found. Response or remission was associated with better outcomes in child behavioral/emotional symptoms at 6 months follow-up (p = 0.0247, Cohen’s d: 0.76; p = 0.0224, Cohen’s f: 0.44) but not at post-intervention (p = 0.1636, Cohen’s d: 0.48; p = 0.0720, Cohen’s f: 0.33). Conclusions: Improvement in maternal depression was related to decreased behavioral/emotional symptoms in their children. Our results suggest that providing interventions for maternal depression in primary care is a viable strategy to prevent behavioral/emotional symptoms in the next generation. Clinical Trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trials, number RBR-5qhmb5. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/17485-4 - Interpersonal psychotherapy triage format for depression in children
Grantee:Marcelo Feijó de Mello
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants