Institute for Clinical and Translational Science

BackgroundThis study quantifies the dynamics of maternal mood focusing on unpredictability, and to assess ifgreater unpredictability of prenatal maternal mood predicts child temperament and internalizingsymptoms through early adolescence.MethodsThe association between prenatal mood predictability and child internalizing symptoms were assessedin two longitudinal cohorts (N’s = 227 and 180). Maternal mood was assessed repeatedly duringpregnancy as early as 15 weeks’ gestation. Predictability of maternal mood was calculated by applyingShannon’s entropy to the distribution of responses on mood questionnaires. Maternal reports of childnegative affectivity (a predictor of later internalizing) were collected at 6, 12, 24 months and 7 years ofage. Child self-reports of anxiety symptoms were collected at 10 years and reports of depressionsymptoms at 13 years.

ResultsFetal exposure to more elevated maternal mood entropy predicted higher levels of child negativeaffectivity at 12 months (r = .36; p < 01), 24 months (r = .31; p < 01) and 7 years (r = .32; p < 01) of age.In addition, children exposed to higher prenatal maternal mood entropy, reported higher levels ofanxiety symptoms at 10 years (r = .24; p < 01) and elevated depressive symptoms at 13 years (r = .29; p< .01). These associations persisted after adjusting for maternal pre and postnatal mood valence (e.g.depression levels) and for other relevant demographic characteristics.ConclusionsOur findings provide strong support for the notion that patterns of maternal mood influence thedeveloping brain. More specifically, they suggest that prenatal maternal mood predictability may be acritical predictor of developmental mental health trajectories and should be considered whenassessing early life influences on lifespan mental health.