Parenting as a Mediator of the Link between Parental Depressive Symptoms and Child Depressive Symptoms Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Research indicates that parental depressive symptoms have significant implications for child depressive symptoms. However, little is known about parenting styles as a possible mediator of the link between parental and child depressive symptoms. This study examined the links between parental depressive symptoms, parenting behaviors including autonomy support and psychological control, and child depressive symptoms. Data was collected from 64 8-10 year olds via questionnaires administered at the Family Development Lab at the University of Vermont. High levels of autonomy support were found to predict lower levels of child depressive symptoms, and high levels of psychological control were found to predict higher levels of child depressive symptoms. No significant associations were found between parental depressive symptoms and child depressive symptoms, autonomy support, or psychological control. The results suggest that granting a child autonomy is one way to prevent them from developin