A comprehensive study led by Dr. Prabha Chandra, Dean of Faculty (Behavioural Sciences) at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), sheds light on the significant influence of maternal depression on the mental health of children. The Maternal and Child Mental Health Study – Bangalore Child Health and Development Study (BCHADS) has been actively investigating the correlation between maternal mental health and child development from pregnancy to middle childhood.
Initiated in 2016 and set to conclude in 2024, the BCHADS study involved the examination of 912 women from various public health centers in Bengaluru. The research revealed that pregnant women experiencing anxiety or depression were transmitting stress to their unborn children, resulting in lower birth weights for the infants.
In addition to anxiety and depression, the study explored the impact of external factors such as domestic violence and passive smoking on the health of both mother and child. Findings suggested that exposure to domestic violence and second-hand smoke increased the likelihood of pre-term delivery and influenced behavioral differences in children.
Dr. Chandra emphasized that a mother’s environment, including the behavior of the father and grandparents, contributes to prenatal and postnatal stress. Given the rising prevalence of mental health disorders among children, the research will extend its focus to study behavioral patterns in children through middle childhood.
The BCHADS study is closely linked to the UK Wirral Child Health and Development Study (WCHADS), sharing a parallel timeline for assessment and measurement. By employing common measurements in both the UK and India, researchers aim to identify specific risk and protective factors contributing to child mental health problems in both settings.
As mental health disorders become more prevalent, particularly among children in India, researchers stress the urgency of culturally sensitive community studies. These studies, starting during pregnancy, aim to detect early signs of child mental health issues, allowing for timely interventions and support.
