EEG activity, empathic reactions to emotion-inducing stimuli, and the abili
ty to complete a teaching task were examined in preschool children of depre
ssed and non-depressed mothers. EEG activity from frontal and parietal regi
ons was recorded. Repeated measures MANOVAs indicated that the children of
depressed mothers had greater relative right frontal EEG asymmetry. a patte
rn that typically accompanies greater negative affect and showed less empat
hic responses to a crying infant as well as to their own mothers' simulated
distress. Children of depressed mothers were slower in completing the teac
hing task (involving mutual cooperation with their mother) and they spent m
ore time asking for help than children of nondepressed mothers. Further, th
e depressed mothers stated their approval less often and spent less time he
lping their child complete the task.