The Degree of Fluctuations in Maternal Depressive Symptoms in Early Childhood is Associated with Children’s Depression Risk: Initial Evidence and Replication Between Two Independent Samples

Guided by life history theory, the present study examined whether the degree of fluctuations in maternal depressive symptoms in early childhood was prospectively linked to children’s risk for depression. This was the first study to present preliminary evidence on this topic and replicated main findings across two large, independent longitudinal samples. Study 1 included 1,364 families where maternal depressive symptoms were longitudinally assessed at child ages 1, 6, 15, 24, and 36, and 54 months, where child depressed/anxious behaviors at Grade 1 were reported. Study 2 included 1,292 families where maternal depressive symptoms were assessed at child ages 2, 6, 15, and 24 months. At 36 months, child internalizing symptoms and inhibitory control were assessed. In Study 1, findings revealed that the degree of fluctuations in maternal depressive symptoms over 54 months was associated with higher child depressed/anxious behaviors at Grade 1, only when mothers had higher but decreasing depressive symptoms. Study 2 revealed that the degree of fluctuations in maternal depressive symptoms over 24 months was related to higher child internalizing symptoms at 36 months, for mothers whose depressive symptoms were higher but decreasing, higher and increasing, and lower and decreasing. In addition, the degree of fluctuations in maternal depressive symptoms over 24 months was related to lower child inhibitory control at 36 months, for mothers who had higher but decreasing depressive symptoms. Findings highlighted the degree of fluctuations in maternal depressive symptoms during early childhood can contribute to environmental unpredictability, which can increase children’s depression risks.