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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Actas Españolas de Psiquiatría

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

  • Camila Manríquez Fuenzalida1
  • Diego Henríquez2
  • Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar3
  1. 1Programa de Doctorado en Psicología, Escuela de Psicología y Filosofía, Universidad de Tarapacá, 1000000 Arica, Chile
  2. 2Centro de Justicia Educacional (CJE), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 7820436 Santiago, Chile
  3. 3Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, 1000000 Arica, Chile
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Abstract

Background:: Maternal depression during the perinatal and postpartum periods constitutes a relevant risk factor for early child development. This systematic review aims 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 records identified, 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 mother-child 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.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{fuenzalida2026maternal,
  title = {{Maternal Depression and Its Relationship With Cognitive Development in Children Aged 0 to 36 Months: A Systematic Review}},
  author = {Camila Manríquez Fuenzalida and Diego Henríquez and Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar},
  journal = {Actas Españolas de Psiquiatría},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.62641/aep.2339},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.62641/aep.2339},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Maternal Depression and Its Relationship With Cognitive Development in Children Aged 0 to 36 Months: A Systematic Review
AU  - Camila Manríquez Fuenzalida
AU  - Diego Henríquez
AU  - Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/15
JO  - Actas Españolas de Psiquiatría
DO  - 10.62641/aep.2339
UR  - https://doi.org/10.62641/aep.2339
AB  - Background:: Maternal depression during the perinatal and postpartum periods constitutes a relevant risk factor for early child development. This systematic review aims 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 records identified, 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 mother-child 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.
SN  - 1139-9287
SN  - 1578-2735
ER  -