Unraveling the antecedent-consequence conditions in maternal depression and adolescent functioning

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the sequential relationship between maternal depression and adolescent functioning. Maternal depression scores and eight measures of adolescent functioning, representing four areas (internalizing problems, externalizing problems, prosocial behavior and cognitive functioning), were collected at two points in time, separated by 1 yr. Adolescent functioning was assessed by teacher-completed measures and behavioral observations. Ninety-nine mothers and adolescents participated in Year 1 and 83 of these participated in Year 2. Using partial correlations, the relationship between maternal depression at Year 1 and adolescent functioning at Year 2 was examined, with adolescent functioning at Year 1 partialed out. Similarly, the relationship between adolescent functioning at Year 1 and maternal depression at Year 2 was examined, with maternal depression at Year l partialed out. The results indicated that, when maternal depression scores were collected at Year 1 and adolescent functioning was assessed at Year 2, seven of eight partial correlations were significant whereas only two of eight partial correlations were significant and in the expected direction when adolescent functioning was assessed at Year 1 and maternal depression was examined at Year 2. Furthermore, for five of the eight measures the correlations were significantly different between maternal depression serving as the antecedent and adolescent functioning serving as the antecedent. Maternal depression appears to serve as an antecedent for adolescent functioning rather than vice versa. Explanations for the findings are discussed and implications for behavior therapists are considered.