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Improvements in maternal depression as a mediator of intervention effects on early childhood problem behavior

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2009

Daniel S. Shaw ,
Arin Connell ,
Thomas J. Dishion ,
Melvin N. Wilson  and
Frances Gardner
Daniel S. Shaw*
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh
Arin Connell
Affiliation:
Case Western Reserve University
Thomas J. Dishion
Affiliation:
University of Oregon
Melvin N. Wilson
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
Frances Gardner
Affiliation:
Oxford University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Daniel S. Shaw, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 210 South Bouquet Street, 4101 Sennott Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15260-0001; E-mail: casey@pitt.edu.
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Abstract

Maternal depression has been consistently linked to the development of child problem behavior, particularly in early childhood, but few studies have examined whether reductions in maternal depression serve as a mediator in relation to changes associated with a family-based intervention. The current study addressed this issue with a sample of 731 families receiving services from a national food supplement and nutrition program. Families with toddlers between ages 2 and 3 were screened and then randomized to a brief family intervention, the Family Check-Up, which included linked interventions that were tailored and adapted to the families needs. Follow-up intervention services were provided at age 3 and follow-up of child outcomes occurred at ages 3 and 4. Latent growth models revealed intervention effects for early externalizing and internalizing problems from 2 to 4, and reductions in maternal depression from ages 2 to 3. In addition, reductions in maternal depression mediated improvements in both child externalizing and internalizing problem behavior after accounting for the potential mediating effects of improvements in positive parenting. The results are discussed with respect to targeting maternal depression in future intervention studies aimed at improving early child problem behavior.

Type
Regular Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 21 , Issue 2 , May 2009 , pp. 417 - 439
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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