Is Maternal Fatigue Mediating the Relationship Between Maternal Depression and Child Outcomes?

Abstract

Fatigue, a subjective state that has been defined as a decreased capacity for physical or mental activity, has many behavioral similarities to depression (e.g., weariness, difficulty concentrating, diminished motivation). We hypothesized that fatigue might mediate the relationship between depression and poor child outcomes.

The outcome of institutional youth care compared to non-institutional youth care for children of primary school age and early adolescence: A multi-level meta-analysis

“…Besides, living in an institutional setting can in itself have a negative or positive impact on the development of children (Dunn, Culhane, & Taussig, 2010;Preyde, Adams, Cameron, & Frensch, 2009). For example, as a result of the separation from their parents, children may develop internalizing problems (White & King, 2011), externalizing problems (Van der Helm, Stams, & Van der Laan, 2011) and attachment problems (Johnson, Browne, & Hamilton-Giachritsis, 2006;Van den Bergh, Weterings, & Schoenmakers, 2011;Van den Dries, Juffer, Van IJzendoorn, & Bakermans-Kranenburg, 2009). Also, negative peer influences, such as 'deviancy training' (Dishion, McCord, & Poulin, 1999), can affect the development of children in institutional care.…”

Fathers and Mothers of Children With Learning Disabilities

“…For example, children of depressed mothers demonstrated higher levels of behavior problems with peers, poorer academic performance, as well as increased evidence of clinical expressions such as mood disorders, anxiety, and disruptive behavior disorders (e.g., Cooper et al, 2006;White & King, 2011).…”

Problem-Solving Intervention for Caregivers of Children With Mental Health Problems

“…From the same study by Gerkensmeyer et al (2008) a secondary analysis of a subgroup of 139 biological, adoptive, and step-mothers identified differences in depressive symptoms based on demographic, threat, stressor, and resource variables (Gerkensmeyer, Perkins, Day, Austin, Scott, & Wu, 2011). High mean levels of depression (M=20.3) were found on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977).…”