AP42627

__Maternal Depression and Behavior Issues in Children__ There are studies that show depression/anxiety in mothers can impact their children by causing the children to have behavioral issues at a very young age. According to “Pathways from Maternal Distress and Child Problem Behavior to Adolescent Depressive Symptoms – A Prospective Examination from 18 Months to 17 Years of Age”, published by the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics:

//: When mothers reported high levels of anxiety and depression symptoms early in the children’s lives, the children had a higher risk of emotional and disruptive problem behaviors during their childhood. In addition, the children had a higher risk of reporting depressive symptoms during adolescence.// //: The association between maternal and later child problem behaviors was already present when the children were 18 months old.//

These findings are similar to ones in “Maternal Depression and Child Psychopathology: A Meta-Analytic Review” published in Clinical Child Family Psychology Review:


 * //Maternal depression was more strongly associated with children’s internalizing problems.//

//: Maternal depression was more strongly associated with their children’s externalizing problems...//

Maternal depression impacts the entire family. Both of the reports show that children’s behavior reflects the emotional health of the home. Externalizing the behavior is one way children have in showing how/what they feel, especially if they don’t have the verbal skills to adequately describe the particular emotion. If mothers realize that their emotional health is having a negative impact on their children, hopefully they will find help so that everyone in the family can discuss their emotions in a healthy manner. Some of the most important things to remember are that everyone be aware that the environment is a safe one and that what is said in that room will not be repeated anywhere else. Medication can also be of help to family members.

References: Goodman, Sherryl, Matthew Rouse, and Arin Connell. "Maternal Depression and Child Psychopathology: A Meta-Analytic Review." . Clinical Child Family Psychology Review, 1 Jan. 2010. Web. 26 July 2014. .

Nilsen, W., K. Gustavson, and E. Roysamb. "Pathways from Maternal Distress and Child Problem Behavior to Adolescent Depressive Symptoms – A Prospective Examination from 18 Months to 17 Years of Age." . Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 1 Oct. 2013. Web. 26 July 2014. .

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