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Maternal depression increased likelihood of risky behavior in teens

Adolescents were more likely to engage in risky behavior if exposed to their mother’s depressive symptoms, especially during middle childhood, according to study data.

Researchers examined children from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth who were aged 2 to 5 years between 1994 to 1995 (n=2,910) and followed them until the they were 16 to 17 years between 2008 and 2009.

Recurrent maternal symptoms, middle childhood exposure to maternal symptoms, adolescent exposure to maternal symptoms, mild maternal symptoms and low symptoms were the five trajectories researchers tracked for the study.

Data indicated that adolescents who were exposed to their mother’s depressive symptoms during middle childhood exhibited a greater likelihood of abusing alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana; were more likely to participate in violent and nonviolent delinquent behavior, and began using substances at an earlier age.

Other risky behaviors included attempted suicide (1.7%) and fighting to the point of injury to another person (6.7%), according to data.

Identification and treatment of depressed mothers may impact the reduction of such outcomes, the researchers wrote.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.