Η επίδραση της γονικής κατάθλιψης στην ψυχική υγεία των παιδιών

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to examine the current knowledge about the effects of parental depression on their infants’ health. As a result of these parental behaviors and the negative effects in parent-child relationship, parental depression could lead to negative consequences on infants and increase the likelihood of children’s depression later in life. According to research, mental problems in children whose parents have been diagnosed with depression were twice to three times more likely to occur as compared to a typical sample. Besides the fact that not a lot is known about the exact factors linking depressed parents and children’s mental health problems, genetic and/or environmental mechanisms are thought to play an important role. Even though research mainly focuses on maternal depression, recently the impact of paternal depression has also been examined. In respect of post natal depression in women, the findings indicate consequences on boys and girls, while depression in men could increase behavioral problems mainly in boys. Children who grow up in families that face both parental depression and socioeconomic disadvantages seem to be more prone to emotional difficulties. Hence focusing on a family’s special needs and addressing these problems could prevent the negative effects on children.