A longitudinal study of maternal depression and child maltreatment in a national sample of families investigated by child protective services.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether a change in depression predicts a mother's change in maltreatment.


METHODS
Observational, repeated measures study.


METHODS
National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being, 1999 to 2004.


METHODS
Mothers who retained custody of a child aged 0 to 15 years following a maltreatment investigation and completed at least 2 of 3 surveys (n = 2386).


METHODS
Change in depression status between baseline and 18- and 36-month follow-ups, assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form.


METHODS
Change in psychological aggression, physical assault, and neglect between baseline and 18- and 36-month follow-ups, assessed with the Conflict Tactics Scale Parent-Child version.


RESULTS
One-third (35.5%) of mothers experienced onset or remission of depression. Onset of depression was associated with an increase of 2.3 (95% confidence interval, 0.2-4.4) psychologically aggressive acts in an average 12-month period, but was not statistically significantly associated with change in physical assault or neglect.


CONCLUSIONS
Depression is positively associated with maternal perpetration of psychological aggression in high-risk families.
Conron
Kerith J
KJ
Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. kconron@post.harvard.edu
Beardslee
William
W
Koenen
Karestan C
KC
Buka
Stephen L
SL
Gortmaker
Steven L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology