Mother-to-Child Transmission of Depressive Symptoms: Maternal Socialization of Infant Positive Affect as a Mediator

Numerous studies highlight the transmission of depressive symptoms from mothers to children; yet less is known about the mechanisms through which this transmission occurs. Using a prospective longitudinal design, the present study examined maternal socialization of positive affect as a mediator of the relationship between mothers' and toddlers' depressive symptoms. A community sample of 128 mother-infant dyads participated in three assessment periods. At 6 and 12 months postpartum, mothers reported on their depressive symptoms and were video recorded during 30 minutes of mother-infant play. The videos were subsequently coded for mothers' supportive and nonsupportive responses to their infants' positive affect. At 18 months, mothers rated their toddlers' depressive problems. A mediation analysis revealed that mothers with higher depressive symptoms were less supportive of their infants' positive affect, which in turn, increased infants' risk for depressive problems in toddlerhood. Findings have implications for future prevention and early intervention efforts.