Abstract
BackgroundAlthough the relationship between maternal bonding and risk of offspring depression has been demonstrated, it is unclear whether this risk exists for subsequent generations. This study examines the association between maternal reports of her own mother's parenting and later risk of depression in offspring at age 18.MethodThis study is based on data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Mothers enrolled in the study, completed the Parental Bonding Instrument to provide an assessment of how they were parented by their own mothers up to the age of 16. Offspring depression was assessed at age of 18 using the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised. The sample comprised 10,405 respondents who had completed the Parental Bonding Instrument during the antenatal period. Results were adjusted for grandmother's history of depression, maternal depression, and a range of socioeconomic variables.ResultsA one standard deviation increase in mothers’ perceived lack of care in their own childhood was associated with a 16% increase in the odds of offspring depression at age 18 (odds ratios = 1.16, 95% confidence intervals = [1.04, 1.30]). This effect remained following adjustment for potential confounders (odds ratios = 1.14, 95% confidence intervals = [1.02, 1.27]). There was no evidence for an association between overprotection and offspring depression.ConclusionsThis study is consistent with the hypothesis that sensitive caregiving is important to future risk of depression across generations. Preventative interventions could be aimed at promoting positive parenting practices, which may help to reduce the risk of depression in subsequent generations.
Highlights
Depression is among the most prevalent of psychiatric disorders in adolescents
Our findings demonstrated an association between maternal experiences of being parented and risk of offspring depression at 18 years of age
This relationship persisted after controlling for other variables that have been shown to be related to maternal reports of being parented and risk for adolescent depression, for example, maternal age, depression, education, and social class
Summary
Depression is among the most prevalent of psychiatric disorders in adolescents. Since mental health disorders commonly begin in childhood and adolescence,[1] this is an important period for understanding the developmental origins of these disorders. Published online 19 September 2013 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) The relationship between maternal bonding and risk of offspring depression has been demonstrated, it is unclear whether this risk exists for subsequent generations. This study examines the association between maternal reports of her own mother’s parenting and later risk of depression in offspring at age 18. Mothers enrolled in the study, completed the Parental Bonding Instrument to provide an assessment of how they were parented by their own mothers up to the age of 16. The sample comprised 10,405 respondents who had completed the Parental Bonding Instrument during the antenatal period.
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