19 mothers of children with serious emotional disturbances of early childhood were interviewed and administered the MMPI and Picture Frustration Test. Interview data showed that a high percentage of mothers experienced perinatal depression (66%) and marital discord (78%). MMPI profiles indicated a high degree of psychopathology. The P-F test characterized these mothers as intropunitive. Maternal depression during an infant's first year of life may result in affectional deprivation and lead to serious emotional disturbance in early childhood.
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