The Effects of Maternal Depression on Child Development

Major Depressive Disorder is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting

6.7% of American adults each year. For women, the onset of depression and other mood

disorders is highest during their typical childbearing and child-rearing ages, between 25

and 32 years old (Kessler et al., 2005). Because of this, a great deal of research has gone

into studying the effect of a mother’s mental illness on her children’s development and

mental health.

The results of many studies have shown that children of depressed mothers are at

high risk for depression during childhood and adolescence. They are also at a higher risk

for anxiety disorders, social impairment and alcohol dependence (Weissman and Jensen,

2002). According to one review of the literature, 61% of the children of parents with

Major Depressive Disorder will develop a psychiatric disorder during childhood or

adolescence. These children are four times more likely to develop a mood disorder than

are children with non-ill parents (Beardslee et al., 1998). Children of depressed mothers

are also significantly more likely to report suicidal thoughts and behaviors than children

of well mothers (Klimes-Dougan et al., 1999).

While family studies have shown that some individuals may have inherited a

genetic predisposition for major depression, many hypotheses about the effect maternal

depression has on child development have focused on the influence of marital difficulties

and parenting problems. Parents with mental illnesses have been shown to exhibit more

maladaptive parental behaviors such as harsh punishment, verbal abuse, and spending

smaller amounts of time with their children (Johnson et al., 2001). Their ability to

provide a nurturing environment might be impaired and they might be less responsive to

their child’s needs. Children of depressed mothers form less secure attachment

relationships with their caregivers. Likewise, marital difficulties such as frequent loud

arguments can impact the family environment and may cause stress and anxiety for

children (Beardslee et al., 1998).

Maternal mental illness can be seen as a risk factor for depression, mental health and

substance abuse problems throughout childhood and adolescence (Weissman and

Jensen, 2002). Therefore, treatment of depressed mothers as well as early detection for

their offspring is important. Fortunately, a recent study has shown that while children of

depressed mothers do exhibit more mental health and behavioral problems than children

of healthy mothers, they respond to treatment equally as well (Rishel et al., 2006).

For further information regarding this article please contact Sarah Dilley at the

Maternal Substance Abuse and Child Development Project, Emory University School of

Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1256 Briarcliff Road,

N.E., Suite 324W, Atlanta, Georgia, 30306. You can also phone us at 404-712-9800 or

visit our website at http://www.emory.edu/MSACD

The Maternal Substance Abuse and Child Development Project is funded in part by the

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).

References:

Beardslee, W.R., Versage, E.M., Gladstone, T. (1998). Children of Affectively Ill Parents: A Review of the Past 10 Years. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 37(11):1134-1141.

Johnson, J.G., Cohen, P., Kasen, S., Smailes, E., Brook, J.S. (2001). Association of

maladaptive parental behavior with psychiatric disorder among parents and their offspring. Archives of General Psychiatry, 58:453-406.

Kessler, R.C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R. Merikangas KR Walters EE. (2005)

Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry. 62:593-602.

Klimes-Dougan, B., Free, K., Ronsaville, D., Stillwell, J., Welsh, C.J., Radke-Yarrow,

M. (1999). Suicidal ideation and attempts: a longitudinal investigation of children of depressed and well mothers. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 38(6):61-659.

Rishel, C.W, Greeno, C.G., Marcus, S.C., Sales, E., Shear, M.K., Swartz, H.A.,

Anderson, C. (2006). Impact of maternal mental health status on child mental health treatment outcome. Community Mental Health Journal, 42(1)

Weissman, M.M., Jensen, P. (2002). What research suggests for depressed women with

children. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 63(7):641-647.