Effects of maternal depression on youth adjustment

Depressive disorders are chronic illnesses affecting women and their families for extended periods of time. This paper summarizes research related to the effects of maternal depression on children\u27s short and long term adjustment. Children of depressed mothers are at risk for internalizing and externalizing disorders. Genetics account for a small portion of these problems. Since depressed mothers tend to withdraw or show intrusive, hostile behaviors with their children, parent-child interaction problems account for the majority of youth adjustment problems, particularly when mothers\u27 depression is severe, occurs during infancy, is chronic, and is paired with high family conflict or separation. Individual youth differences may relate to gender. Interventions aimed at education, open communication, and treatment of parent-child attachment problems are recommended