Recurrence and Timing of Maternal Depression Predict Early Adolescent Functioning for Children With and Without ADHD.

OBJECTIVE: To examine recurrence and timing of maternal depression as predictors of depressive and conduct symptoms in children with and without ADHD.

METHOD: Children aged 4 to 6 years (125 ADHD, 122 comparison) were followed over 8 years. Maternal depression was assessed annually. Youth depressive and conduct symptoms were assessed at ages 12 to 14.

RESULTS: Recurrence of maternal depression predicted youth depressive and conduct symptoms at ages 12 to 14; child ADHD moderated relations between recurrence of maternal depression and youth depressive (but not conduct) symptoms. Early adolescent exposure to maternal depression predicted age 12 to 14 depressive symptoms for all children. Exposure to maternal depression during early childhood, childhood, and early adolescence each independently predicted youth conduct symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Recurrence and timing of maternal depression predict comorbid symptoms in early adolescents, particularly for youth with ADHD. Findings inform the prevention of comorbidities in children with ADHD where maternal depression is present. (J. of Att. Dis. XXXX; XX(X) XX-XX).