Linking Maternal Depression to Adolescent Internalizing Symptoms: Transmission of Cognitive Vulnerabilities
Erin E Dunning1, Brae Anne McArthur2, Lyn Y Abramson3
1Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract:
The mechanisms of the well-documented relationship between maternal depression and offspring psychopathology are not yet fully understood. Building upon cognitive theories of depression and the modeling hypothesis, path analyses tested whether maternal depression history predicted adolescent internalizing symptoms via the transmission of cognitive vulnerabilities within a sample of 635 adolescents (Mage = 13.1 years, range = 11.2-17.2 years; 53% female; 48% African American/Black) and their primary female caregivers. Maternal depression history did not directly predict adolescent symptoms. Two significant indirect effects were found; maternal depression history was associated with maternal negative cognitive style, which predicted greater adolescent negative generalization, which, in turn, predicted adolescents' greater depressive and anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that the transmission of cognitive vulnerabilities may link maternal depression and offspring internalizing psychopathology.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Depression: Overview
Relationship with Parents: Attachment
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience


