Mental Health Around Pregnancy and Child Development from Early Childhood to Adolescence

52 Pages Posted: 4 Sep 2019 Last revised: 23 Sep 2022

See all articles by Stephanie von Hinke

Stephanie von Hinke

University of Bristol; Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Economics (ESE)

Nigel Rice

University of York - Derwent College

Emma Tominey

University of York - Department of Economics and Related Studies

Abstract

We identify the causal effect of mothers' mental health during early - and soon after pregnancy on a range of child psychological, socio-emotional and cognitive outcomes measured between ages 4-16. Results suggest a negative effect on children's psychological and socio-emotional skills in early childhood, but these effects fade-out between the ages of 11-13. We find no significant effect on cognitive outcomes. The fade-out of effects may be partly explained by compensatory behaviour of parents, as we find that mental health during or soon after pregnancy raises breastfeeding and improves measures of interaction between mother and child.

Keywords: child cognitive outcomes, child socio-emotional outcomes, child psychological outcomes, prenatal psychological health, ALSPAC

JEL Classification: I12, I14, I3

Suggested Citation

von Hinke, Stephanie and Rice, Nigel and Tominey, Emma, Mental Health Around Pregnancy and Child Development from Early Childhood to Adolescence. IZA Discussion Paper No. 12544, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3445810

Stephanie Von Hinke (Contact Author)

University of Bristol

University of Bristol,
Senate House, Tyndall Avenue
Bristol, Avon BS8 ITH
United Kingdom

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam, NL 3062 PA
Netherlands

Nigel Rice

University of York - Derwent College ( email )

Heslington
Centre for Health Research
York, YO10 5DD
United Kingdom

Emma Tominey

University of York - Department of Economics and Related Studies ( email )

Heslington
York, YO1 5DD
United Kingdom

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