Introduction
The correlation between maternal well-being and children’s health outcomes is one of the most important topics. The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and its wide effects on physiological and psychological health also took a tangible toll on people’s health across the globe. The current annotated bibliography explores the following research question: What are the biggest predictors of a healthy child, and why are mothers responsible for the physiological and mental health outcomes of their babies?
Annotated Bibliography
Agnafors, S., Bladh, M., Svedin, C. G., & Sydsjö, G. (2019). Mental health in young mothers, single mothers, and their children. BMC Psychiatry, 19, 1-7. Web.
The aim of the article is to examine the mental health of young mothers and single mothers, and their children. The study uses a cross-sectional design, and data is collected through self-report questionnaires from 483 young mothers, single mothers, and their children. The methods involve statistical analysis to determine the prevalence of mental health problems in young mothers, single mothers, and their children and to investigate the associations between maternal mental health and child mental health (Agnafors et al., 2019). The results show that both young mothers and single mothers are at a higher risk of mental health problems compared to the general population. The strength of this article is the finding that young mothers are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, while single mothers are more likely to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (Agnafor et al., 2019). The key weakness of the current article is the lack of diversity among the sample, as it made the researchers overlook the sociocultural concept of motherhood. The fundamental implication of the article is that young and single mothers are vulnerable groups with a higher risk of mental health problems, and their mental health can have a significant impact on their children.
Baker, S., Morawska, A., & Mitchell, A. (2019). Promoting children’s healthy habits through self-regulation via parenting. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 22, 52-62. Web.
The article explored the role of parenting in promoting children’s self-regulation skills and healthy habits. The authors proposed that self-regulation skills can be developed through parenting practices such as setting limits, providing structure, and supporting children’s emotional and social development. To achieve this aim, the authors conducted a literature review of studies examining the relationship between parenting, self-regulation, and children’s healthy habits. They analyzed the results of 57 studies and found that parenting practices that promote self-regulation are positively associated with children’s healthy habits, including healthy eating, physical activity, and sleep (Baker et al., 2019). The strength of the current article is the finding regarding parenting interventions and their positive impact on children’s self-regulation and healthy habits. The evidence presented within the framework of the current article is relatively weak because the authors mostly focused on specific parenting practices and not children’s well-being in general, which limits the available evidence (Baker et al., 2019). The core implication of this article is that parenting interventions could be an effective way to achieve improved well-being for parents and their children.
Di Giorgio, E., Di Riso, D., Mioni, G., & Cellini, N. (2021). The interplay between mothers’ and children’s behavioral and psychological factors during COVID-19: An Italian study. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 30, 1401-1412. Web.
The article investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological and behavioral functioning of Italian mothers and their children. The authors examined the relationship between mothers’ psychological distress, coping strategies, parenting stress, parenting practices, and the emotional and behavioral functioning of their children during the pandemic. The study utilized an online survey distributed to a sample of 651 mothers with children aged between 3 and 18 years old (Di Giorgio et al., 2021). The results showed that mothers’ psychological distress and parenting stress were significantly associated with children’s emotional and behavioral problems. The main strength of Di Giorgio’s et al. (2021) article is the finding regarding the association between better emotional and behavioral functioning in children. The key weakness of the article was the lack of attention paid to maternal psychological distress and how it was different from general parenting stress. Those could have a significant impact on children’s emotional and behavioral functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic (Di Giorgio et al., 2021). The implication of the article is that interventions aimed at promoting positive parenting practices and coping strategies could potentially reduce the negative effects of the pandemic on children’s mental health.
Hajizadeh, M., & Nghiem, S. (2020). Does unwanted pregnancy lead to adverse health and healthcare utilization for mother and child? Evidence from low-and middle-income countries. International Journal of Public Health, 65, 457-468. Web.
The article explored the issue of unwanted pregnancy and how it led to adverse health and healthcare utilization for mothers and children in low- and middle-income countries. The study used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 43 low- and middle-income countries, which included a total of 778,509 women aged 15-49 years (Hajizadeh & Nghiem, 2020). The authors used multivariate logistic regression models to analyze the association between unwanted pregnancy and adverse health outcomes for mothers, including maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, and healthcare utilization. The results showed that unwanted pregnancy was associated with increased maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, and lower healthcare utilization (Hajizadeh & Nghiem, 2020). The primary strength of the study was that it suggested that unwanted pregnancies had negative consequences for both mothers and children. Nevertheless, the emphasis on the need for effective family planning interventions to reduce the burden of unwanted pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries was rather weak. The implication of the current article was to focus on existing evidence and see how low-income women could improve their well-being and attain a positive impact on their children.
Hardcastle, K., Ford, K., & Bellis, M. A. (2022). Maternal adverse childhood experiences and their association with preterm birth: Secondary analysis of data from universal health visiting. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1), 1-11. Web.
The article aimed to investigate the association between maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and preterm birth. The authors used secondary analysis of data from universal health visits to explore this relationship. The study included 11,903 mother-infant pairs who were enrolled in the universal health visiting program in the United Kingdom (Hardcastle et al., 2022). The authors used logistic regression and the results showed that maternal ACEs were significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, even after controlling for potential confounding factors such as maternal age, smoking status, and socioeconomic status. The strength of the article is its reliance on statistical data, as the researchers found that the odds of preterm birth were 1.33 times higher for mothers with four or more ACEs compared to those with no ACEs (Hardcastle et al., 2022). The core weakness of the article was the researchers’ lack of attention paid to ACEs as important risk factors for preterm birth. As an implication for future studies on the topic, healthcare professionals should consider screening for maternal ACEs during prenatal care to identify and support high-risk mothers.
Johansson, M., Benderix, Y., & Svensson, I. (2020). Mothers’ and fathers’ lived experiences of postpartum depression and parental stress after childbirth: A qualitative study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Wellbeing, 15(1), 1722564. Web.
The aim of the article was to explore the experiences of both mothers and fathers with postpartum depression and parental stress after childbirth. The study employed a qualitative design, using individual interviews with ten mothers and ten fathers who had experienced postpartum depression and parental stress. The results revealed several themes, including feelings of guilt and shame, difficulties with bonding with the baby, changes in the relationship between partners, and challenges in seeking and receiving support (Johansson et al., 2020). Both mothers and fathers reported experiencing these themes, though there were some differences in the specific experiences reported by each group. The conclusions drawn from the study suggested that postpartum depression and parental stress were complex experiences that affected mothers, fathers, and their children (Johansson et al., 2020). The key strength of this article is the fact that the researchers paved the way for more quantitative studies on the topic, facilitating support of families were mothers experience postpartum depression. The weakness of the current article is the lack of information regarding resources and interventions that could benefit depressed mothers. The implication of the study is that healthcare professionals should work diligently to help families navigate the difficulties that arise during the postpartum period.
Kinser, P. A., Jallo, N., Amstadter, A. B., Thacker, L. R., Jones, E., Moyer, S.,… & Salisbury, A. L. (2021). Depression, anxiety, resilience, and coping: The experience of pregnant and new mothers during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Women’s Health, 30(5), 654-664. Web.
The aim of this study was to examine the psychological experiences of pregnant and new mothers during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, including depression, anxiety, resilience, and coping strategies. The study employed a cross-sectional design, and participants were recruited through online platforms and social media. The sample consisted of 316 pregnant and postpartum women who completed a web-based survey between May and July 2020 (Kinser et al., 2021). The results indicated that the pandemic was associated with increased levels of depression and anxiety among pregnant and new mothers. The key strength of the article was that the study found that resilience and coping strategies were important factors in mitigating the negative psychological effects of the pandemic. Nevertheless, the primary weakness of the article was deficient attention to the COVID-19 pandemic and how it became a factor that impacts the mental health of pregnant and new mothers. The implication is that new interventions aimed at enhancing resilience and coping strategies may be helpful in mitigating these effects (Kinser et al., 2021). The findings underscore the need for targeted mental health support for pregnant and new mothers during times of crisis.
Mensch, B. S., Chuang, E. K., Melnikas, A. J., & Psaki, S. R. (2019). Evidence for causal links between education and maternal and child health: Systematic review. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 24(5), 504-522. Web.
The article aimed to assess the evidence for a causal link between maternal education and child health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The study followed a systematic review methodology that searched for published studies on the topic in relevant databases. The authors identified 33 studies that met the inclusion criteria and used a variety of methods to establish causal links between maternal education and child health (Mensch et al., 2019). The results of the study suggested that maternal education was positively associated with child health outcomes, including reduced child mortality, improved nutritional status, and better access to healthcare. The strength of the current article is reflected in the fact that the study found that maternal education can positively affect maternal health outcomes, such as reducing the risk of maternal mortality and improving maternal healthcare-seeking behavior (Mensch et al., 2019). The perceived weakness of the article was the lack of insights pertaining to the reduction of child mortality. The implication of the study was that investing in education could have a significant positive impact on maternal and child health outcomes in LMICs.
Norholt, H. (2020). Revisiting the roots of attachment: A review of the biological and psychological effects of maternal skin-to-skin contact and carrying of full-term infants. Infant Behavior and Development, 60, 101441. Web.
The aim of this article was to investigate the benefits of maternal skin-to-skin contact and the carrying of full-term infants on the biological and psychological development of the infant. The author reviewed various studies on the topic, as the method used included a literature review of various studies conducted on the topic (Norholt, 2020). The results suggested that maternal skin-to-skin contact and carrying of full-term infants could help regulate the infant’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing, which might lead to improved physical health. The psychological benefits included the development of a secure attachment between the infant and the mother, which caused improved emotional regulation and reduced stress levels. The strength of the article written by Norholt (2020) was the findings regarding maternal skin-to-skin contact and carrying of full-term infants. The weakness of the article was the lack of evidence supporting the idea that the overall wellbeing of the infant is currently supported at the highest level possible. As a potential research implication for the future studies, the author emphasized the importance of educating parents and healthcare providers about the benefits of maternal skin-to-skin contact.
Ward, K. P., & Lee, S. J. (2020). Mothers’ and fathers’ parenting stress, responsiveness, and child wellbeing among low-income families. Children and Youth Services Review, 116, 105218. Web.
The article aimed to investigate the relationship between parenting stress, parental responsiveness, and child wellbeing among low-income families. The study was based on the assumption that low-income families were at a greater risk of experiencing parenting stress due to financial and social pressures, which could affect their ability to parent effectively. The study was conducted using a sample of 193 low-income families, with both mothers and fathers participating (Ward & Lee, 2020). The data was collected through self-reported surveys, including measures of parenting stress, parental responsiveness, and child wellbeing. The results of the study showed that both mothers and fathers experienced high levels of parenting stress, which were negatively associated with parental responsiveness. The main strength of the article was a quantitative approach to parental responsiveness and its positive association with child wellbeing. At the same time, the core weakness of the findings was a limited description of interventions aimed at reducing parenting stress among low-income families. The implication of these findings for the current annotated bibliography is that parental responsiveness should be cultivated to improve the ability of mothers to parent effectively and promote better outcomes for children.
Conclusion
The current annotated bibliography provides the readers with a new perspective on the relationship between a mother’s and her child’s health outcomes because it reinforces the idea that those are interconnected. Such conclusions can be deemed accurate because they explain the importance of dwelling on adults’ wellbeing. Furthermore, the biggest predictors of a healthy child are (a) healthy individual behaviors, (b) strong familial ties, and (c) well-maintained mental conditions.