Final answer:
Maternal emotional stress during pregnancy can lead to long-term negative behavioral outcomes in children, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other developmental issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that maternal emotional stress during pregnancy is related to diverse, long-term negative behavioral outcomes for babies is true. A vast body of research, including developmental biology and psychiatry, supports the notion that prenatal stress can have significant impacts on the developing fetus. For instance, evidence links maternal stress to the increased risk of emotional and behavioral issues, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
Furthermore, environmental factors, including the emotional state of the mother, can send signals to the fetus that might affect its development. Mothers who experience high levels of stress or depression during pregnancy can, unfortunately, be less likely to engage in healthy parenting behaviors, potentially leading to safety issues and parenting difficulties that could persist as the child grows. This is underscored by findings that maternal well-being greatly influences prenatal care and ultimately infant health outcomes.