Maternal representations, depression and interactive behaviour in the postnatal period: a brief report

The association between pre/postnatal change in the content of maternal representations and maternal interactive capacity/number of depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum was investigated among 12 substance-addicted mothers in residential treatment. The measures used were semantic differentials of the Interview of Maternal Representations (IRMAG), maternal variables of the Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment ( ERA) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Change towards a more negative view of the child was associated with having more problem areas in maternal interaction, and more depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum. Change towards a more negative view of the child's father and own mother-as-mother was associated with having more interaction problems, and towards a more negative view of self was related to depression postnatally.