The relationship between post-natal depression and mother-child interaction
Article Abstract:
Emotional disturbance in children has been linked to maternal depression. One notion postulated is that the mother's depression influences the interaction between her and the child, which may then lead to insecure attachment. There is evidence of a higher incidence of insecure attachment in children whose mothers have suffered major depression. The identification of causal factors, however, is complex. Effects may be particularly devastating for children up to about 18 months, for whom contact with caretakers is primary. An area of study that has been neglected is the difference, if any, between children whose mothers continue to be depressed and those whose mothers cease being depressed. Thirty-eight women were assessed with their children (age 19 months), composing three groups, namely those with postnatal depression with current symptoms, postnatal depression in remission, or no history of postnatal depression. Information gathered included measurement of the mother's current symptoms of depression and history of depression, an assessment of recent major life-events, and identification of chronic social problems. Areas included were work, finances, health, relationships, legal, and other. Children were assessed for sociability on the basis of the child's initial responses to a stranger, and mother and child were observed in structured play. A developmental assessment was completed as well. Two main findings of the study emerged: postnatal depression was significantly associated with reduced mother-child interaction when the child was 19 months old and the association was found for mothers who continued to show signs of depression as well as for those that had recovered. Chronic marital and social difficulties also had effects upon interaction. Speculations regarding these results are that the depression influences how mother and child relate and that the extent of the effect is related to duration of the symptoms. Marital and social problems may be a cause or an effect of depression, or both. The child's reaction may also serve to affect mother's symptoms. While these findings are statistically sound, there was considerable variability in the sample, meaning that some mothers showed little or no difficulty with their children despite symptoms of depression, while others had more difficulty than average. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: British Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0007-1250
Year: 1991
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Couples referred to a sexual dysfunction clinic: psychological and physical morbidity
Article Abstract:
Sex therapy was introduced as a treatment modality about 20 years ago, and it has become clear that the success rate is variable and that certain pretreatment factors may be predictive of outcome. Increasingly, attention is being paid to possible physical factors as well. Although the field is still developing by many standards, it is clear that sex therapists need to make a careful assessment of patients before formulating treatment plans. Two hundred couples that were referred to therapy for sexual problems were assessed using detailed interviews and physical screening. The quality of the relationship was measured, as was motivation for treatment. Psychiatric status was assessed by two self-report questionnaires. The partner who first sought help was male in 48 percent of cases. Poor erection was the chief complaint among male presenters, and premature ejaculation was the chief complaint in male partners. Impaired interest in sex was the chief complaint in both female partners and presenters. Following the assessment, sex therapy tended to be offered more to couples in which females first presented for treatment than to couples in which males first presented. Of those offered sex therapy, 70 percent entered therapy and 46 percent of these did not complete the sessions. Those who did complete therapy had an overall higher rating on the motivation assessment made earlier, better relationships, fewer marital problems, and less anxiety in the presenting partner. Other important findings were the high proportion of couples with marital problems, psychiatric illness, and physical disorders. This makes it even more crucial that primary and secondary problems be identified so that appropriate treatment can be offered. In summary, an assessment for sex therapy should include an evaluation of the general relationship, presence of psychiatric or physical problems, and the couple's motivation for treatment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: British Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0007-1250
Year: 1990
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Mood disorders in the year after first stroke
Article Abstract:
Studies have indicated that stroke victims may be susceptible to psychiatric symptoms, and that the causes of the symptoms may be different from those found in the general population. Mood disorders in particular are important to consider, because mood may affect eventual outcome of the recovery process of physical illness. Most studies to date have used only hospitalized patients, which may not be representative of the population of stroke victims, and follow-up has been irregular and at times incomplete. To shed light on the nature and frequency of psychiatric problems experienced by first-time stroke victims immediately after the stroke and during the year after, 128 patients and 111 controls from the same community were compared using the results of two scales known to reliably measure mood and psychosocial variables. Stoke victims were, on average, aged 71.2 years, while controls had a mean age of 69.6 years. It was found that stroke victims more frequently exhibited evidence of a mood disturbance such as depression than did the controls. The difference between the groups was not substantial, however, and it diminished over the 12-month study period. The presence of other psychiatric symptoms was equally small and also diminished. There was no evidence that the depression suffered by stroke victims differed in any way from depression among controls. In general, it was concluded that there is a wider variety of mental disorders in the first year after stroke, such as mild depression and apathy, irritability, withdrawal, and simple phobias, but they tend to subside fairly quickly. There was no evidence that they were directly related to illness; they may be due to hospital contact, stress, or the threat of illness. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: British Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0007-1250
Year: 1991
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