Maternal mental health is a seriously neglected but important public health issue, with far-reaching consequences for both the children and their mothers. This review considers the extensive range of factors influencing maternal mental well-being, such as socioeconomic status, social support, obstetric history, hormonal changes, and psychosocial stressors. Three of the most prevalent mental health issues presented during the perinatal period are stress, anxiety, and depression. New research emphasizes the extent to which maternal mental health affects the development and well-being of children – especially in the first 2 years, when neurodevelopment is most vulnerable. Maternal poor mental health has been associated with increased risk of stunting, wasting, and underweight status, along with speech, motor function, problem-solving, and emotional regulation delays. In order to address these interrelated issues, this review advocates for early screening for mental health, community-based interventions, and coordinated maternal–child health programs. Prioritizing and understanding maternal mental health is crucial in disrupting the intergenerational transmission of adverse health outcomes. This paper emphasizes the central determinants of maternal mental health and its essential influence on the development of early childhood.
Handa et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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