Maternal depression and anxiety predicts the pattern of offspring symptoms during their transition to adulthood

H Gonçalves,D A González-Chica,B L Horta,E Castilho,C G Victora,F C Barros,A Stein,D P Gigante,R C Lima,R M Pearson,M Damiani

doi:10.1017/s0033291715001956

H Gonçalves, D A González-Chica + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291715001956

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Journal: Psychological medicine	Publication Date: Oct 12, 2015
Citations: 29	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Abstract

Episodes of depression and anxiety (D&A) during the transition from late adolescence to adulthood, particularly when persistent, are predictive of long-term disorders and associated public health burden. Understanding risk factors at this time is important to guide intervention. The current objective was to investigate the associations between maternal symptoms of D&A with offspring symptoms during their transition to adulthood. Data from a large population-based birth cohort study, in South Brazil, were used. Prospective associations between maternal D&A and offspring risk of these symptoms during the transition to adulthood (18/19, 24 and 30 years) were estimated. Maternal D&A in adolescence was associated with offspring symptoms across the transition to adulthood, associations were consistently stronger for females than for males. Daughters whose mothers reported D&A were 4.6 times (95% confidence interval 2.71-7.84) as likely to report D&A at all three time-points, than daughters of symptom-free mothers. Maternal D&A is associated with persistent D&A during the daughter's transition to adulthood. Intervention strategies should consider the mother's mental health.

Highlights

Depression and anxiety (D&A) is responsible for a substantial proportion of the global burden of mortality and disability (WHO, 2001, 2010)
Maternal depression and anxiety (D&A) in adolescence was associated with offspring symptoms across the transition to adulthood, associations were consistently stronger for females than for males
Presentation of symptoms during late adolescence is associated with an increased risk of these disorders throughout adulthood and adults often experience their first episode in adolescence

Summary

Introduction

Depression and anxiety (D&A) is responsible for a substantial proportion of the global burden of mortality and disability (WHO, 2001, 2010). The transition to adulthood is one important period where the burden of these disorders emerges (Patton et al 2014) Interventions at this time could reduce both the short- and long-term impairment. Despite this importance, there is little detailed knowledge from prospective studies about risk factors for D&A across the transition to adulthood (Thapar et al 2012; Patton et al 2014). Episodes of depression and anxiety (D&A) during the transition from late adolescence to adulthood, when persistent, are predictive of long-term disorders and associated public health burden. The current objective was to investigate the associations between maternal symptoms of D&A with offspring symptoms during their transition to adulthood

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Results

Conclusion