Parental Depression Research Articles

Associations between parental depression and anxiety symptom severity and their Offspring's cortical thickness and subcortical volume

Depression and anxiety are associated with grey matter changes in subcortical regions in adults and adolescents. Parent psychopathology is associated with offspring brain structure, but it's unclear whether altered brain structure in children is associated with severity of parental depression and anxiety symptoms. We examined 123 youth (Mean age = 13.64; 62% female) with no clinically significant history of depression or anxiety and one parent diagnosed with current or past depressive or anxiety disorders. Parents completed the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview to assess diagnostic status and the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 to assess current symptom severity. Youth underwent T1 weighted structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans. Bivariate analyses revealed higher parental depressive severity was not significantly associated with offspring grey matter. Parental anxiety severity was significantly associated with less left global surface area. When controlling for offspring age, sex and intracranial volume (ICV), offspring right surface area was negatively associated with parental depressive severity at a trend level. In previously depressed parents, greater parental depressive severity was significantly associated with offspring decreased left and right surface area. There were no significant associations between parental anxiety severity in previously depressed parents and offspring subcortical or cortical brain regions. These results highlight associations between parental depressive symptom severity and offspring brain structure and suggest that even within an already high-risk group of adolescents, there may be altered cortical surface area depending on parent symptom severity. This may help identify youth most at risk for developing a mood disorder and could help further early intervention and identification efforts.

Language Outcomes of Children Born Very Preterm in Relation to Early Maternal Depression and Anxiety.

Unaddressed maternal psychological distress within the first year postpartum is known to have numerous negative consequences on the child's developmental outcomes, including language acquisition. This study examined the relationship between early maternal psychosocial factors and the language outcomes of children born very preterm (VPT; ≤32 weeks gestational age). It used data from the Cincinnati Infant Neurodevelopment Early Prediction Study, an ongoing National-Institutes-of-Health-funded prospective, multicenter cohort investigation of VPT infants. A total of 243 (125 boys; 118 girls) children born VPT (M = 29.03 weeks of gestation; SD = 2.47) and their corresponding 207 mothers (34 with multiple infants) were included in this study. We did not find an association between maternal depression or anxiety and Bayley-III (M = 92.3, SD = 18.9) language scores. Additionally, maternal grit and self-efficacy did not modify the relationship between depression and anxiety and language scores. A higher level of maternal education and infant female sex were significantly associated with higher language scores. While preterm birth typically results in higher rates of depression and anxiety for parents, the findings suggest that maternal depression, anxiety, and grit and the self-efficacy of the mothers in this sample did not relate to the language development of their children, independent of maternal education and infant female sex.

Associations between mothers' and fathers' depression and anxiety prior to birth and infant temperament trajectories over the first year of life: Evidence from diagnoses and symptom severity

BackgroundDevelopmental shifts in infant temperament predict distal outcomes including emerging symptoms of psychopathology in childhood. Thus, it is critical to gain insight into factors that shape these developmental shifts. Although parental depression and anxiety represent strong predictors of infant temperament in cross-sectional research, few studies have examined how these factors influence temperament trajectories across infancy. MethodsWe used latent growth curve modeling to examine whether mothers' and fathers' anxiety and depression, measured in two ways – as diagnostic status and symptom severity – serve as unique predictors of developmental shifts in infant temperament from 3 to 12 months. Participants included mothers (N = 234) and a subset of fathers (N = 142). Prior to or during pregnancy, both parents were assessed for lifetime diagnoses of depression and anxiety as well as current severity levels. Mothers rated their infants' temperament at 3, 6, and 12 months of age. ResultsMothers' depression and anxiety primarily predicted initial levels of temperament at 3 months. Controlling for mothers' symptoms, fathers' depression and anxiety largely related to temperament trajectories across infancy. Lifetime diagnoses and symptom severities were associated with distinct patterns. LimitationsInfant temperament was assessed using a parent-report measure. Including an observational measure would provide a more comprehensive picture of the infants' functioning. ConclusionsThese results indicate that mothers' and fathers' mental health are uniquely associated with infant temperament development when measured using diagnostic status and/or symptom severity. Future studies should examine whether these temperament trajectories mediate intergenerational transmission of risk for depression and anxiety.

Effects of urban green land use types on parental depression and anxiety during pregnancy

Effects of urban green land use types on parental depression and anxiety during pregnancy

Mental health effects of adult children’s outmigration on older parents in Central and Eastern Europe

Objective To examine the association between adult children’s migration and depression among older parents in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and explore the role of intergenerational support in contributing to their depression. Methods Data are from the eighth wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), pooling a study sample of 11 CEE countries, with a cross-sectional design. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and hierarchical linear regression were conducted using a study sample of 9133 respondents. Results Older adults whose children migrated over 500 km were more likely to experience depression compared to those with no migrant child or all children within 500 km. Among intergenerational support, frequent parent-child contact mitigated the effects of migration on depression in older parents with all their children who migrated over 500 km. Conclusion This study suggests that older parents with migrant children over 500 km away should be considered a vulnerable population at risk for mental health in CEE countries. It is crucial for local governments and policymakers to address these challenges through improving integrated mental health and social programs for better mental health outcomes among older adults in CEE countries.

Psychological well-being and associated factors among parents of adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: a cross-sectional study.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) impacts not only adolescents who engage in it but also their parents. However, there has been limited research into the psychological well-being of these parents. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the symptoms of anxiety and depression among parents of adolescents who engaged in NSSI in China and the factors associated with them. A total of 400 parents of adolescents with NSSI were included. Socio-demographic information of these parents was collected. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and psychological resilience, respectively. The majority of the parents were female (83.5%), married (86.3%), and had a senior high school or equivalent and lower education level (67.1%). The study found that 35.3% of the parents experienced clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 7) and 40.1% had clinically significant symptoms of depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 7). Parents with larger ages and lower levels of psychological resilience were more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression (p < 0.05). Parents who reported bad parent-child relationships showed a higher level of anxiety. This study provides important insights into the symptoms of anxiety and depression among parents of adolescents with NSSI. Parental age, parent-child relationship, and psychological resilience were associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression in these parents. Implications for the development of interventions aimed at addressing symptoms of anxiety and depression in parents of adolescents with NSSI were discussed.

The association between parental internalizing disorders and child school performance

Parents play a crucial role in children’s lives. Despite high prevalences of anxiety and depression, we do not know how these disorders among parents associate with child school performance in Norway. We use regression models to estimate associations between parental mental disorders and child school performance, while adjusting for some social and genetic confounders. Parental anxiety and depression were assessed from administrative registers of government funded health service consultations for all individuals in Norway with children born between 1992 and 2002. School performance was assessed as standardized grade point average at the end of compulsory education when children are 16 years old. Associations were also considered in samples of adoptees and among differentially affected siblings. We find that 18.8% of children have a parent with an anxiety or depression diagnosis from primary care during the last three years of compulsory education (yearly prevalence: 11.5%). There is a negative association between these parental mental disorders and child school outcomes (z = 0.43). This association was weakened, but statistically significant among differentially exposed siblings (z = 0.04), while disappearing in adoptee children. Many children experience that their parents have anxiety or depression and receive a diagnosis from primary care. On average, these children have lower school performance. The association is attenuated when comparing differentially exposed siblings and disappears in adoptee children. These results have a poor fit with the hypothesis that parental internalizing is an influential causal factor in determining children’s educational success.

Sickle cell disease in Sudanese children & psychosocial problems faced by children and parents – a two-scale study

ABSTRACT Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell (RBC) disorder transmitted to the child through the parental genes. SCD is a serious public health problem in Sudan, ranging from 18.2% to 30.4%, with the sickle cell anemia gene known to be prevalent in the Khartoum area. This study aimed to explore the psychosocial impact of SCD on affected children and parents and to identify the relationship between psychosocial problems experienced by children and parents with the use of two scales. To address the research aim, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was administered among n = 170 SCD children aged 6–12 years. In addition, the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to measure levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in parents of children with SCD. Most of the children experienced substantially high emotional symptoms (n = 113), with conduct problems (n = 113), hyperactivity (n = 100), and peer problems (n = 86) being close to average. Most of the parents had the normal level of depression (n = 78), anxiety (n = 92), and stress (n = 85), with severe and extremely severe cases being the least recorded. Further analysis of the association between the SDQ scale and DASS-21 showed a significant association between parental stress and children’s conduct problems (p = 0.009), hyperactivity (p = 0.03), and the pro-social behavior of the child (p = 0.03). No association was found between parental anxiety, depression, and emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems. Future research is recommended to explore the incidence of SCD in children at birth and parental actions after diagnosis.

Relationship Between Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Parent Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Quality of Life and Social Support.

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a common comorbidity in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Little is known about the impact that GI symptoms have on parental well-being. Parents of 409 children and adolescents with ASD completed the GI Symptoms Inventory, Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated Version, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. High levels of stress were demonstrated by parents with 40.1% receiving clinically significant scores. A relationship was found between parental stress and GI symptoms. Parental anxiety and depression were found at high levels but were not more common in parents of individuals with GI symptoms than those without. Lower levels of quality of life were found in parents of individuals with GI symptoms compared to parents of individuals without GI symptoms. Parents of children with GI symptoms were less satisfied with their personal and social relationships with others. Parents of children with GI symptoms had lower scores on a measure of perceived social support than parents of children and adolescents without GI symptoms. GI symptoms are stressful for parents and future research is needed to determine how to alleviate this stress and to improve the quality of life of parents of individuals with ASD.

Perceived parental depression and PTSD in adolescents: mediating roles of attachment insecurity and coping style

ABSTRACT Background: Earthquakes can cause negative psychological states in adolescents and their parents, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Previous cross-sectional studies have shown that adolescents who perceive parental depression after an earthquake are more likely to experience PTSD. However, the mechanism underlying this process remains unclear and previous studies have not examined the association between these factors. Objective: The current study explored the mediating roles of attachment insecurity and coping style in the association between perceived parental depression and PTSD in adolescents after the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. Method: In total, 391 participants completed follow-up questionnaires at 12, 21, and 27 months (T1–T3, respectively) after the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. Results: T1 perceived parental depression was not a direct predictor of T3 PTSD in adolescents. In the full mediation model, T1 perceived parental depression predicted T3 PTSD in adolescents indirectly via T2 attachment insecurities through T2 emotion-focused coping. Conclusion: The findings highlight that attachment insecurity and emotion-focused coping mediated the relationship between perceived parental depression and PTSD in adolescents following an earthquake. To alleviate PTSD in adolescents, efforts should be directed toward reducing perceived parental depressive symptoms and emotion-focused coping, and promoting the formation of secure attachment styles.

Parental Depression and Adulthood Adversities as Mediators of Direct Versus Indirect Intergenerational Experiences of Child Maltreatment

Parental Depression and Adulthood Adversities as Mediators of Direct Versus Indirect Intergenerational Experiences of Child Maltreatment

A Transdiagnostic Prevention Support Group for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Example

Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to caregivers of neurotypical children. The high levels of stress and the prevalence of emotional disorders experienced by caregivers may negatively impact their capacity and confidence to effectively manage their child’s complex emotional and behavioral needs. Given these demands, caregivers of children with ASD require additional support to improve their psychological well-being and parenting self-efficacy. While support programs and treatments for children and adolescents with ASD are abundant, prevention programs that specifically targeted the emotional well-being of caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic were limited. In this case paper, we describe Coping Options for Parent Empowerment (COPE), a prevention program for parents adapted from the Unified Protocols for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adults, Children, and Adolescents developed during the pandemic. To alleviate the stressors faced by caregivers during the pandemic and beyond, including increased caregiving responsibilities and financial difficulties, Project COPE targeted parent anxiety and depression through four brief, telehealth group sessions provided free of cost for caregivers of school-age children with ASD. In the case example presented, decreases in anxiety and depression, and increases in parent self-efficacy were reported after completing this program. Key insights about the intervention’s feasibility and content reported by parents are described. Findings suggest that the intervention removes some treatment access barriers typically seen in caregivers of children with ASD during and following the pandemic and that the program can be modified to increase engagement and acceptability.

Pilot Study of a Screen-Free Week: Exploration of Changes in Parent and Child Screen Time, Parent Well-Being and Attitudes, and Parent-Child Relationship Quality

Screen use is associated with a variety of potential impacts on child development, which has led to recommendations to regulate screen use. The current pilot study was conducted to explore the potential effects of implementing screen-free times (Screen-Free Week) on parent and child screen use, parent feelings and well-being, and parent-child interactions and relationships. Specifically, we evaluated the outcomes utilizing pre and postintervention self-report surveys with 24 parents (of a child age 5 years or younger). Overall, the screen-free week program decreased parent depressive symptoms, increased the parenting of child screen time and establishments of screen time limits, and decreased both parent and child screen time. Though the decrease in overall parent and child screen time was not maintained by 4 weeks after, effects on parent depression, child TV watching, and parent phone use specifically during child time were maintained. These findings support previous research emphasizing screen-free times as a viable method to increase intentionality around screen use. Interestingly, the program appears to have had the strongest effects on parent phone use around their child, suggesting the program may build awareness in parents and may cause them to change or desire to change their screen habits during family time. Although we saw initial shifts in parent-child play, effects were not maintained by week 4. Yet, the small changes parents made across one week were not sufficient to shift the overall parent-child relationship. While effects cannot be viewed as definitive, it is promising that shifts were seen in parent well-being and screen use for a relatively small amount of effort across one week.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Parental Depression

Studies exploring associations between children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and depression in parents are limited. This study compares healthcare utilization, depression treatment costs, and risk factors, in parents of children with and without ASD. Using a matched case-control, individuals aged 27 to 64 with continuous enrollment from 2017–2019 and a child diagnosed with ASD were selected from nationally representative administrative claims data. Individuals were randomly matched 1:3 to a non-ASD group based on the child's age, gender, and family characteristics. Statistical models were used to evaluate the association between ASD in children, depression in their respective parents, and resulting healthcare utilization and costs incurred by parents. The study consisted of 23,316 families, out of which 5,779 had children with ASD, and 17,337 had children without ASD. Having a child with ASD was a predictor of depression in parents (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.73 – 2.10). Mothers of children with ASD had a higher risk of having depression (OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.62 – 6.12). Parents having multiple ASD children were also at higher risk of depression (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.18 – 2.13). The sex and age of the child were not associated with parental depression. While family-level income and education attainment were not associated, urbanicity (rural) had an association with depression. Parents with ASD children are at a higher risk of depression. Findings suggest that parents of children with ASD may benefit from depression screening at the onset of ASD diagnosis in their children.

Examining the relationship between genetic risk for depression and youth episodic stress exposure

BackgroundOffspring of depressed mothers have elevated risk of developing depression because they are exposed to greater stress. While generally assumed that youth's increased exposure to stress is due to the environmental effects of living with a depressed parent, youth's genes may influence stress exposure through gene-environment correlations (rGEs). To understand the relationship between risk for depression and stress, we examined the effects of polygenic risk for depression on youth stress exposure. MethodsWe examined the relations of a polygenic risk score (PRS) for depression (DEP-PRS), as well as PRSs for 5 other disorders, with youth stress exposure. Data were from a longitudinal study of a community sample of youth and their parents (n = 377) focusing on data collected at youth's aged 12 and 15 assessments. ResultsElevated youth DEP-PRS was robustly associated with increased dependent stress, particularly interpersonal events. Exploratory analyses indicated that findings were driven by major stress and were not moderated by maternal nor paternal history of depression, and of the 5 additional PRSs tested, only elevated genetic liability for bipolar I was associated with increased dependent stress—particularly non-interpersonal events. LimitationsLike other PRS studies, we focused on those of European ancestry thus, generalizability of findings is limited. ConclusionPolygenic risk contributes to youth experiencing stressful life events which are dependent on their behavior. This rGE appears to be specific to genetic risk for mood disorders.

Computer-based and online rehabilitation therapy for depression and anxiety management: A case study of Jordanian parents of children with special needs

Purpose: The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of computer-based and online rehabilitation therapy in managing depression and anxiety among Jordanian parents of children with special needs as well as explore the underlying psychodynamic mechanisms involved in the therapeutic process.&#x0D; Design/Methodology/Approach: The sample size consisted of 337 participants who were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (receiving computer-based and online rehabilitation therapy) or the control group (receiving traditional therapy). Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires assessing depression and anxiety levels as well as psychodynamic variables such as defense mechanisms and attachment styles.&#x0D; Findings: The relationship between the variables was examined by Partial least squares (PLS) analysis. Results indicated that computer-based and online rehabilitation therapy was effective in reducing levels of depression and anxiety among Jordanian parents of children with special needs to facilitate changes in defense mechanisms and attachment styles indicating the involvement of psychodynamic processes in the therapeutic process.&#x0D; Conclusion: The findings suggest that computer-based and online rehabilitation therapy may be a valuable resource for managing depression and anxiety in Jordanian parents of children with special needs and provide insight into the underlying mechanisms involved in psychodynamic therapy.&#x0D; Research Implications: The field of psychological counselling is being advanced by the current research which has several theoretical and practical implications. This study is significant because it provides key policy insights on how to enhance attractiveness. Research efforts when developing programs need to be in line with technical advancements.

Household’s Stressors and Well-Being During the Global COVID-19 Pandemic

Home environments suffered a range of stressors during COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the impact of these stressors on children’s well-being by households’ conditions. Participants included main caregivers ( N = 615) with a child under the age of 3 in a developing Latin-American country. We use multivariate analysis to explore associations between these shocks, the childrearing environment, and children’s well-being. We find that households with lower education and recipients of government assistance were more exposed to negative shocks linked to COVID-19. However, the most educated households were more likely to face an increased burden of childcare. Exposure to negative shocks was associated with a deterioration in the emotional well-being of adults, a higher prevalence of intra-family violence, and behavioral changes in children. Households that reported more time spent caring for children, as well as difficulties in combining care and work, showed higher levels of parental depression and worse indicators of parenting quality. We observe a drop in the frequency of parental involvement in didactic and socializing activities with their children, and a poorer mental health status for the main caregiver (mostly mothers).

The role of parenting practices in parent and child mental health over time.

Parent and child mental health has suffered during the pandemic and transition phase. Structured and shared parenting may be intervention targets beneficial to families who are struggling with parent or child mental health challenges. First, we investigated associations between structured and shared parenting and parent depression symptoms. Second, we investigated associations between structured and shared parenting and depression, hyperactivity/inattention and irritability symptoms in children. A total of 1027 parents in two-parent households (4797 observations total; 85.1% mothers) completed online surveys about themselves and their children (aged 2-18 years) from April 2020 to July 2022. Structured parenting and shared parenting responsibilities were assessed from April 2020 to November 2021. Symptoms of parent depression, child depression, child hyperactivity and inattention, child irritability, and child emotional and conduct problems were assessed repeatedly (one to 14 times; median of four times) from April 2020 to July 2022. Parents who reported higher levels of shared parenting responsibilities had lower depression symptoms (β = -0.09 to -0.32, all P < 0.01) longitudinally. Parents who reported higher levels of shared parenting responsibilities had children with fewer emotional problems (ages 2-5 years; β = -0.07, P < 0.05), fewer conduct problems (ages 2-5 years; β = -0.09, P < 0.01) and less irritability (ages 13-18 years; β = -0.27, P < 0.001) longitudinally. Structured parenting was associated with fewer conduct problems (ages 2-5 years; β = -0.05, P < 0.05). Shared parenting is beneficial for parent and child mental health, even under chaotic or inflexible life conditions. Structured parenting is beneficial for younger children.

Heterosis and Inbreeding Depression for Yield and Quality Traits in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Ten parental lines of tomato (Lycopersicon esculantum Mill.) were crossed in 10 x 10 diallel mating plan barring reciprocals. The 45 F1 hybrids along with their parents and one standard check (Pusa Ruby) were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications. This study relevant that heterosis over the better parent, mid-parent, standard check and inbreeding depression was observed for all the traits under study. Highly significant heterosis was observed for Days to first flowering (-18.35, -14.42 and -3.30%), Days to 50% fruiting (-13.41, -12.30 and -6.71%), Fruit diameter (41.20, 46.07 and 35.57%), fruits length (49.20, 63.23 and 5.98%), Average fruit weight (59.26, 66.89 and 26.72%), Number of fruits per plant (135.19, 159.63 and 80.67%), Number of fruits per cluster (54.55, 54.55 and 80.02%) and total yield per plant (123.71, 146.41 and 99.13%) over the better, mid and standard parents, respectively along with considerable inbreeding depression. The most promising cross EC-165700 × EC-164563 appeared intensely noteworthy positive heterosis over way better parent for total yield per plant. These Heterotic hybrids found superior over better parents and one standard check have the potential to be exploited commercially.

Parental Son Preference and Depression in Later Life: The Moderating Role of Childhood Friendship Experience

We investigated the relationship between parental son preference experienced during childhood and depression symptoms experienced by Chinese men and women aged 45 years and over. Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Studies conducted in 2014 and 2018. Multiple regression analysis was the primary method of model assessment, and the generalized propensity score method was used for robustness checks. We found there was a positive correlation between parental son preference and depression symptoms in later life. The relationship between parental son preference and depression symptoms was also age accumulative and there was a gender heterogeneity effect. Childhood friendship experience mitigated the positive effect of parental son preference on depression symptoms in later life. Our findings emphasize the influence of parental son preference during childhood on depression symptoms in later life, and show that childhood friendship experience can reduce the strength of this link.