SEVERAL RECENT large-scale studies have determined that there is a relationship between mental disorders and violence.^1-5 It has also been found that rates of violence differ across diagnostic categories, suggesting that it is essential to examine diagnostic conditions separately in relationship to risk for violent behavior.

RESULTS OF several studies suggest a relationship between perinatal complications and antisocial behavior. Pasamanick et al¹ found a higher rate of pregnancy complications among behavior-disordered children than among age-matched control subjects. Lewis et al² found a positive correlation between perinatal complications and rates of recidivism among delinquent children. The significant role of prenatal factors in the development of aggression is also supported by studies of minor physical anomalies, which are small, external deformities that often indicate a history of prenatal trauma. Minor physical anomalies have been correlated with aggression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and criminal violence.^3-5

The relationships between severity, chronicity, and timing of maternal depressive symptoms and child outcomes were examined in a cohort of 4,953 children. Mothers provided self-reports of depressive symptoms during pregnancy, immediately postpartum, and when the child was 6 months old and 5 years old. At the age 5 follow-up, mothers reported on children's behavior and children completed a receptive vocabulary test. Results suggest that both the severity and the chronicity of maternal depressive symptoms are related to more behavior problems and lower vocabulary scores in children. The interaction of severity and chronicity of maternal depressive symptoms was significantly related to higher levels of child behavior problems. Timing of maternal symptoms was not significantly related to child vocabulary scores, but more recent reports of maternal depressive symptoms were associated with higher rates of child behavior problems.