Presentation Information

Parental age and mental health outcomes in children- what do we know and where to from here?

• Speaker: Jessica Tearne , BA (Hons), MPsych (Clin), PhD, MAPS
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME, 0.1 Midwifery CEU

Abstract:

Across the western world, there is a significant trend toward older parenthood. Advanced maternal and paternal ages have been associated with adverse biological outcomes for offspring. However, older parenthood has also been associated with a number of other psychosocial factors, such as socioeconomic status, readiness and preparedness for parenthood, and social support, which may plausibly be of benefit in childrearing. There is now a significant body of literature investigating the impacts of older parental age on offspring health and behavioral outcomes. However, more work, including further longitudinal cohort studies and qualitative studies of the reasons why individuals are delaying parenthood must be conducted. This lecture will outline key findings form the literature regarding outcomes for offspring of older parents, will articulate methods for investigating these complex relationships, and will outline evidence from qualitative literature investigating the experience of older mothers in childbearing and rearing.