Dual trajectories of parenting self-efficacy and depressive symptoms in new, postpartum mothers and socioemotional adjustment in early childhood: A growth mixture model

Exploring Heterogeneity in perinatal depression: a comprehensive review

Perinatal depression (PND) is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity globally. Recognized as a major cause of poor infant development, epidemiological and interventional research on it has increased over the last decade. Recently, studies have pointed out that PND is a heterogeneous condition, with variability in its phenotypes, rather than a homogenous latent entity and a concrete diagnosis, as previously conceptualized in psychometric literature and diagnostic systems. Therefore, it is pertinent that researchers recognize this to progress in elucidating its aetiology and developing efficacious interventions.This systematic review is conducted in accordance with the Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE). It aims to provide an updated and comprehensive account of research on heterogeneity in phenotypes of PND and its implications in research, public health, and clinical practice. It provides a synthesis and quality assessment of studies reporting heterogeneity in PND using cutting-edge statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms. After reporting the phenotypes of PND, based on heterogeneous trajectories and symptom profiles, it also elucidates the risk factors associated with severe forms of PND, followed by robust evidence for adverse child outcomes. Furthermore, recommendations are made to improve public health and clinical practice in screening, diagnosis, and treatment of PND.

Intraindividual phenotyping of depression in high-risk youth: An application of a multilevel hidden Markov model

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, depression phenotypes have been defined based on interindividual differences that distinguish between subgroups of individuals expressing distinct depressive symptoms often from cross-sectional data. Alternatively, depression phenotypes can be defined based on intraindividual differences, differentiating between transitory states of distinct symptoms profiles that a person transitions into or out of over time. Such within-person phenotypic states are less examined, despite their potential significance for understanding and treating depression.

METHODS

The current study used intensive longitudinal data of youths (N = 120) at risk for depression. Clinical interviews (at baseline, 4, 10, 16, and 22 months) yielded 90 weekly assessments. We applied a multilevel hidden Markov model to identify intraindividual phenotypes of weekly depressive symptoms for at-risk youth.

RESULTS

Three intraindividual phenotypes emerged: a low-depression state, an elevated-depression state, and a cognitive-physical-symptom state. Youth had a high probability of remaining in the same state over time. Furthermore, probabilities of transitioning from one state to another did not differ by age or ethnoracial minority status; girls were more likely than boys to transition from a low-depression state to either the elevated-depression state or the cognitive-physical symptom state. Finally, these intraindividual phenotypes and their dynamics were associated with comorbid externalizing symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Identifying these states as well as the transitions between them characterizes how symptoms of depression change over time and provide potential directions for intervention efforts.

Testing Models of Associations Between Depression and Parenting Self-efficacy in Mothers: A Meta-analytic Review

Numerous cross-sectional studies confirm the long-theorized association between mothers' depression and lower parenting self-efficacy (PSE) beliefs. However, cross-sectional studies leave unanswered the direction of this association: Does depression predict PSE? Does PSE predict depression? Are both true? Does the strength of the association between depression and PSE, regardless of the direction, generalize across participant characteristics and study design features? How stable is PSE over time? And how effective are interventions at enhancing PSE? To answer these questions, we conducted a meta-analytic review of longitudinal studies. With 35 eligible studies (22,698 participants), we found support for both models: there was a significant pooled effect of both depression on PSE and of PSE on depression, with nearly identical effect sizes (d =   - 0.21 and - 0.22, respectively). The association was stronger in samples with mothers' younger average age and studies that measured PSE among mothers relative to during pregnancy. We found a medium degree of stability in the index of PSE, d = 0.60. Finally, the estimated pooled effect size between being in an intervention group versus control group and PSE was 0.505. Overall, we found support for (1) bidirectional associations between depression and PSE in mothers, (2) the stability of PSE over time, and (3) the strength of the relationship between PSE and depression with intervention. These results suggest the importance of continuing to develop, test, and disseminate interventions to enhance PSE. We interpret these findings in the context of both depression and low PSE having serious consequences for child outcomes and maladaptive parenting.