The Effect of Maternal Depression on Young Children’s Progress in Treatment

This study examined the effect of maternal depression on the functioning of young, primarily Latino children (birth to 5) in an inner-city mental health treatment program designed for children involved or at risk of involvement with the child welfare system. Children and their mothers were evaluated at entry into the program and at 6-month intervals while in treatment. Maternal depression, child behavior problems, and child development were all measured. At entry into the program, children (n = 194) whose mothers were depressed had higher levels of behavior problems and poorer development. Boys had more problems than girls. A growth curve model of those with more than one measurement point (n = 147) found that although all children improved with treatment, children whose mothers were depressed improved more slowly than children whose mothers were not depressed. Findings support the negative impact of maternal depression on children’s progress in treatment.