Mental health during pregnancy may impact child’s risk of developing depression: Study

A study in Singapore has found that a mother’s mental health during pregnancy may shape her child’s risk of developing depressive symptoms years later. Researchers analysed data from 523 mother-child pairs in the GUSTO (Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes) birth cohort. They found that positive maternal mental health, such as well-being and resilience, was linked to stronger language development and fewer depressive symptoms. However, scientists stressed that maternal mental health does not determine a child’s outcome. Dr Huang Pei, senior scientist at the A*STAR Institute for Human Development and Potential, shared more about the stressors that mothers face.