Interpersonal Impairment and the Prediction of Depressive Symptoms in Adolescent Children of Depressed and Nondepressed Mothers

• NCJ Number: 200147
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Volume: 42 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2003 Pages: 571-577
• Author(s): Constance Hammen Ph.D.; Josephine Shih M.A.; Tamara Altman M.A.; Patricia A. Brennan Ph.D.
• Editor(s): Mina K. Dulcan M.D.
• Date Published: May 2003
• Length: 7 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH52239
• Sponsoring Agency: National Ctr on Minority Health and Health Disparities
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study presents findings confirming the association between severity of depressive experiences and chronic social difficulties as stronger for adolescent offspring of depressed mothers than for children of nondepressed mothers.

Abstract

In examining the varied pathways to depression in youngsters, currently depressed children of depressed mothers were hypothesized to differ in predictors of their depression compared with depressed children of nondepressed mothers. The study sample consisted of 812 adolescents age 15, of depressed and nondepressed women in Queensland, Australia between 1996 and 1999. The study examined chronic and episodic stress in the past 6 to 12 months in relations to current depressive disorders. The analyses confirmed that the association between severity of depressive experiences and chronic social difficulties was stronger for adolescent offspring of depressed mothers than for children of nondepressed mothers. Results are consistent with an interpersonal impairment model of depression for offspring of depressed mothers. Many depressed mothers themselves have been raised in problematic family environment and failed to acquire effective skills and coping capabilities. Further studies are recommended on the various pathways to depression in youngsters. Study limitations are discussed. References