Effects of mothers' depression during pregnancy on early childhood temperament

【Objective】 To explore the effects of mothers`depression during pregnancy on early childhood temperament.【Methods】 By using Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),expectant mothers at their 32~34 weeks of pregnancy were surveyed,by using Chinese Infant Temperament Scale(CITS),and a self-made questionnaire of basic condition for infants,the expectant mothers' infants at their 6 months were surveyed.【Results】 The ratios of difficult type and slow-to-warm type of temperament were found more in the infants of depressive mothers during pregnancy,and the higher ratio of the heavier degree of depression(χ2=13.99,21.36,P0.01).The ratio of easy type of temperament was found more in the infants of mothers without depression during pregnancy(χ2=11.89,P0.01).Depressed mood in expectant mothers was also related to the scores of activity level,approach-withdrawal,adaptability,intencity of reaction,mood and attention dispersity in their infants' temperament(P0.01 or 0.05).【Conclusion】 It seems that there are negative effects between mothers` depression during pregnancy and infant temperament type and temperament dimension.