M. Appelbaum et al., Chronicity of maternal depressive symptoms, maternal sensitivity, and child functioning at 36 months, DEVEL PSYCH, 35(5), 1999, pp. 1297-1310
Women (N = 1,215) and their infants were followed from birth, and maternal
reports of depressive symptoms were obtained at 1, 6, 15, 24, and 36 months
. Women who never reported symptoms of depression were compared with those
who reported symptoms sometimes or chronically. Women with chronic symptoms
of depression were the least sensitive when observed playing with their ch
ildren from infancy through 36 months. Children whose mothers reported feel
ing depressed performed more poorly on measures of cognitive-Linguistic fun
ctioning and were rated as less cooperative and more problematic at 36 mont
hs. Depression-group differences in school readiness and verbal comprehensi
on were accounted for by maternal sensitivity.; Depression-group difference
s in expressive language and ratings of cooperation were moderated by mater
nal sensitivity; maternal sensitivity predicted better outcomes more notice
ably among children whose mothers reported feeling depressed.