Depressed parents and family functioning: Interpersonal effects and children's functioning and development.

Abstract

In comparison to the historical focus on genetic (Kashani et al., 1981) and cognitive (Abramson, Metalsky, & Alloy, 1989) models, the role of the interpersonal experiences of depressed individuals has only recently reached ascendance. Interpersonal approaches stress how reciprocal links between individuals and their social environments contribute to the causes and consequences of depression (Coyne, 1976a(Coyne, , 1976b. As such, the focus on socioemotional domains complements genetic and cognitive approaches.Broader, more inclusive models are required to account for the causes, origins, and course of depression. Although cognitive processes are integral to the symptoms of depression, the effects may be based on interpersonal experience and do not provide a complete account of the phenomenon (Coyne & Gotlib, 1983; Gotlib & Hammen, 1992). With roots in transactional models, interpersonal approaches focus on the dynamic, reciprocal interaction between depressive social contexts and individuals over time.

Mediators of the Relation Between Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Child Internalizing and Disruptive Behavior Disorders.

“…To increase competency and resiliency among families in which maternal depressive symptoms pose a risk to youth development, a logical intervention would include increasing support within and beyond the family system. These results are consistent with the emotional security hypothesis laid out by Cummings and Davies (1999), which postulates that negative family influences increase children's risk for psychopathology by threatening their emotional security. Although this study was not set up as a direct test of their theory, the theory's supposition that parental support is one aspect of the family process that can impinge on children's felt security and create vulnerability for psychopathology would fit with the current data.…”

“…We speculate that children of mothers with more interpersonal difficulties have more interpersonal difficulties themselves as a result of learning similar habits and patterns of interaction (Harnmen & Brennan, 2001). Alternatively, the presence of maternal depressive symptoms combined with lowered social support may induce in the children excessive or inappropriate caregiving; these children may be left to support or comfort their mothers in a way that is beyond their resources or ability (Cummings & Davies, 1999), leaving them at higher risk for internalizing disorders. Moreover, children of mothers without a support network may have fewer adults who are available for support and involvement in their lives.…”

Maternal factors and the emotional and behavioural functioning of adolescents with chronic health conditions

“…Boys were more adversely affected in this area by the presence of a maternal mental health condition than girls, reflecting the findings of general population research [13,19,[53][54][55][56].…”

Postpartum depression: we know the risks, can it be prevented?

“…19 Research has shown that children of women with PPD display higher rates of insecure attachment, some delays in cognitive and emotional development, and more dysphoria. 20 Despite findings that the decreased maternal functioning associated with PPD disappear by the 16 th postpartum month, 16 there is growing evidence to suggest that there may be long term implications for children's development. 21 In addition, the severity and chronicity of maternal depression clearly predicts developmental difficulties.…”

“…21 In addition, the severity and chronicity of maternal depression clearly predicts developmental difficulties. [19][20]22 Etiology of postpartum depression Current thinking suggests that some women have a particular sensitivity to hormonal changes, beginning at the onset of menarche, which increases their vulnerability to psychological, environmental, and physiological stressors during the reproductive years. 7 In susceptible women, these stressors trigger a change from an already vulnerable state to the manifestation of a female-specific mood disorder at times of high hormonal fluctuations such as parturition.…”