Depression during pregnancy linked to violence in children

5 February 2010 1 min read Neil Puffett Health Youth Justice

Mothers who suffer depression during pregnancy are more likely to have children that show signs of antisocial behaviour and violence later in life, a new study has found.

A team of researchers from Cardiff University, King's College London, and the University of Bristol assessed the impact of depression during pregnancy by looking at 120 young people from the Bristol area.

The mothers were interviewed while they were pregnant, after they gave birth, and when their children were four, 11, and 16-years-old.

The findings, published in the journal Child Development, found that mothers who became depressed when pregnant were four times as likely to have children who were violent at 16.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included