The aim of this study was to examine eventual differences in mother-infant interaction between mothers with and without indicators of depression by the end of the first year of the baby’s life. Twenty-six mother-infant dyads, eleven comprising mothers with indicators of depression and fifteen with mothers without indicators, took part in the study. The assignment to both groups was based on scores on the Beck Depression Inventory. Analysis of the total of maternal and infant behaviours during a free-play observation session revealed that mothers with indicators of depression presented less behaviours that facilitate exploration of toys by the infant, and their children presented more negative affect. Furthermore, mothers with indicators of depression showed more apathy, kept less their children’s attention in the toys, demonstrated less tenderness and affection, and their babies presented more negative vocalizations. These results give support to the expectations that maternal depression may produce a negative impact on mother-infant interaction.
maternal depression; mother-infant interaction
