Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Mothers and Fathers and Child Socioemotional Outcomes: A Nationwide Canadian Study

Objective This study examined associations between single- versus dual-parental depressive and anxiety symptoms during the antenatal and postpartum period with child socioemotional problems from 12 to 24 months of age. Method In this nationwide Canadian longitudinal cohort study of women and their cohabitating partners, generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations between antenatal maternal and paternal depressive (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) symptoms measured retrospectively within 3 weeks postpartum, and postnatal symptoms measured prospectively at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months postpartum and their children’s socioemotional development (Brief Infant-toddler Social and Emotional Assessment) from 12 to 24 months of age. Results The study included 3,217 cohabitating couples. Adjusting for covariates, mother-only (range of ORs = 1.50 95% CI, 1.08–2.10 for antenatal anxiety symptoms to 2.03 95% CI, 1.13–3.65 for antenatal comorbid symptoms), father-only (range of ORs = 1.57 95% CI, 1.18–2.09 for postpartum anxiety symptoms to 2.44 95% CI, 1.33–4.47 for antenatal comorbid symptoms), and dual-parental (range of ORs = 1.78 95% CI, 1.00–3.15 for antenatal anxiety symptoms to 4.34 95% CI, 1.83–10.29 for antenatal depressive symptoms) depressive and anxiety symptoms in both the antenatal and postpartum periods were associated with increased child socioemotional problems. Conclusion Maternal and paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms during the antenatal and postpartum periods are associated with increased child socioemotional problems in early childhood, with roughly equal magnitude. Dual-parental mental health conditions and comorbid conditions have the strongest associations with socioemotional problems. Findings underscore the importance of considering the well-being of mothers and fathers in promoting healthy socioemotional development.