Change in maternal depressive mood: unique contributions to adolescent functioning over time

There is substantial evidence of the relationship between maternal depressive mood and problematic child functioning. The vast majority of studies in this area concentrate on cross-sectional designs and depressive mood at one point in time. In contrast to the existing literature, the goal of this study was to investigate the relation of change in maternal depressed mood across time and adolescent functioning, including the possible moderating effects of gender of the adolescent and the marital status of parents. Regression analyses indicated that increased depressed mood across one year predicted teacher report of higher levels of externalizing and internalizing problems and lower levels of social competence, above that which could be predicted from the initial assessment of depressed mood. With one exception, neither gender nor parental marital status qualified the findings. The results suggest that static levels of maternal depressive mood are not sufficient for forecasting adolescent functioning. Future research needs also to consider change in such mood.