MATERNAL DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, MATERNAL SENSITIVITY, AND TODDLER NON-COMPLIANCE AT 24 MONTHS

摘要

The association between maternal depressive symptoms and toddlers' self-regulation, as indexed by non-compliance, negative affect and disengagement, and externalizing problems was examined in 1189 mother-child dyads when the children were 24 months old. Maternal sensitivity, observed when children were 6, 15, and 24 months, was investigated as a possible mediator or a moderator of links between maternal depressive symptoms and children's regulatory behavior. Depressive symptoms were examined both as a continuous measure and categorically (never, sometimes, chronic) to assess the effects of depression chronicity. All associations were examined after controlling for maternal education, partner presence, and family income. Child outcomes at 24 months were assessed with a combination of observational and maternal report measures. Both maternal depressive symptoms and maternal sensitivity were associated with most measures of self-regulation, and were negatively correlated with each other. Minimal support was observed for maternal sensitivity as a mediator of the link between maternal depressive symptoms and child outcomes, although both independently predicted some child outcomes even with demographics controlled. No evidence was found to support moderation. When chronicity of depression was examined as a categorical variable, the findings were consistent with those obtained when depressive symptoms were analyzed as a continuous measure. Implications of the findings for understanding the association between maternal depression and child functioning are discussed.