Maternal Depression and Its Relationship With Cognitive Development in Children Aged 0 to 36 Months: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Maternal depression during the perinatal and postpartum periods constitutes a relevant risk factor for early child development. This systmatic review aim to synthesize empirical evidence on the association between maternal depression and child development in children aged 0 to 36 months, considering symptom severity, chronicity, and trajectories, as well as potential relational and contextual mechanisms.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Searches were performed in PsycINFO, SciELO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Quantitative, peer-reviewed empirical studies were included if they assessed maternal depression using standardized instruments and reported outcomes related to cognitive, language, motor, or socioemotional development in early childhood. Of 141 recordsidentified, 10 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis.

Results: The evidence indicates that maternal depression is not necessarily associated with global developmental delay, but rather with alterations in specific domains, including language, communication, problem solving, motor development, and socioemotional functioning. Symptom severity, persistence, and chronicity emerged as central predictors. Available studies suggested that the association may be partly explained by reduced maternal responsiveness, lower cognitive stimulation, difficulties in motherchild interaction, and adverse socioeconomic conditions. 

Conclusions: Maternal depression appears to be an important risk factor for child development during early childhood, particularly when symptoms are persistent or severe. The magnitude of these associations may vary according to caregiving environments and broader contextual factors.