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Why Is Maternal Depression Related to Adolescent Internalizing Problems? A 15-Year Population-Based Study
Sylvana M Côté1, Marilyn N Ahun2, Catherine M Herba3
1University of Montreal, Québec, Canada; INSERM U1219, Bordeaux, France.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|December 8, 2018
Summary
Maternal depression in early childhood increases adolescent depression and anxiety. Peer victimization during childhood is a key factor linking maternal depression to these long-term internalizing problems.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Maternal depression is a known risk for childhood internalizing problems.
- Long-term effects and underlying psychosocial pathways remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine the association between early childhood maternal depression and adolescent internalizing problems.
- Investigate the mediating roles of negative parenting, peer victimization, and friendship quality.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 1,443 children from infancy to 15 years.
- Assessed maternal depression (0-5 years), mediators (6-12 years), and adolescent outcomes (15 years).
- Used structural equation modeling to test mediation pathways.
Main Results:
- Early maternal depression predicted higher adolescent major depressive (MD), generalized anxiety (GA), and social phobia (SP) symptoms.
- Peer victimization significantly mediated the association, explaining substantial portions of the variance.
- Negative parenting and poor friendship quality did not emerge as significant mediators.
Conclusions:
- Maternal depression before age 5 is linked to adolescent depression, anxiety, and social phobia.
- Peer victimization in middle childhood is a critical pathway for these long-term effects.
- Interventions targeting peer victimization may mitigate risks associated with maternal depression.
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