Psychological Problems and Socioemotional Wellbeing among Children of Mothers with Depression and Their Association with Sociodemographic Factors in a Sri Lankan Setting

Abstract

Background Maternal depression is known to be associated with anxiety, depression, oppositional and conduct disorders, neurocognitive deficits, ADHD, substance abuse, and personality disorder in the offspring. We aimed to describe the proportion of psychological problems among children of mothers with depression in Sri Lanka and to describe the associated sociodemographic factors. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 100 children and adolescents between 4 and 16 years, whose mothers have a diagnosis of depression and are currently in remission. Specifically designed instruments were used to extract sociodemographic details and data on mother's illness. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to detect psychological problems in children. Results 14% of the children scored abnormally high in hyperactivity, 13% in conduct problems, 12% in emotional problems, 9% in peer problems, and 10% in total difficulties. Children (4–12 years) scored significantly higher than the adolescents in hyperactivity and externalizing problems (p < 0.05). Significant differences were also found in peer problems (p < 0.05), internalizing problems (p < 0.05), and total difficulties (p < 0.05) in relation to the age of the mother. Conclusion Screening the children of mothers with depression for psychological problems and developing a holistic management plan, which includes measures to ensure their wellbeing, is important.

Emotional and behavioural dysregulation in children of health care workers in the frontline of COVID-19 response in Sri Lanka

“…Recent research in China has shown that frontline health care workers are susceptible to significant mental health issues (4). Parents' psychological status is known to affect the children's mental wellbeing (5,6). However, we could not access any reports of children of health staff affected psychologically during the pandemic.…”

“…A recent Sri Lankan study has shown that parental psychological ailments such as maternal depressive disorder could lead to hyperactivity, conduct, emotional and peer problems in children and adolescents (5). Therefore, psychological stress in parents could be considered as a risk factor for mental health issues in children.…”