Postnatal Maternal Common Mental Disorders and Child Cognitive Development at the Age of 10.4 Years: Evidence From a Longitudinal Cohort Study in Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Child cognition is a core developmental domain and a key predictor of later functioning. While postnatal maternal common mental disorders (CMDs) have been linked to poorer cognitive outcomes in high‐income settings, evidence from low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) is mixed, with limited long‐term studies in sub‐Saharan Africa. Using data from the C‐MaMiE cohort in rural Ethiopia, we examined the prospective association between maternal CMD at 2 months postpartum and child cognitive development at age 10.4 years. The analytic sample included 435 children (52.4% boys; mean age = 10.4 years, SD = 0.3) and their mothers, with a mean age of 33.79 years (SD = 5.59). Maternal CMD was measured with the WHO's SRQ‐20; child cognition was assessed using an adapted Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. We found no significant association between maternal CMD and child cognitive scores ( β = 0.15 [−0.48, 0.79], p = 0.632). However, maternal non‐literacy, thatched roofing, weekly maternal khat use and child stunting were significantly associated with lower cognitive scores. Findings highlight the importance of addressing structural and nutritional factors to support child development in LMIC contexts.