title: Effects on children of treating their mothers' depression: results of a 12-month follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study used a controlled research design to examine the effects on children of treating their mothers' depression and of remission of the mothers' depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 60 low-income women with major depression, who were predominantly from minority racial-ethnic groups, and their children ages four to 11. Women were randomly assigned to receive one of two active treatments (medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy) or a referral to existing community services. The mothers' depression was assessed by self-report on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the children's symptoms and adaptive skills were assessed by their mothers at baseline and six-month and 12-month follow-ups with the Behavior Assessment System for Children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mixed-effects random intercept and random slope repeated-measures analyses using an intent-to-treat approach indicated that active treatment of mothers did not result in improvement in their children's behavior problems or adaptive skills. However, at both the six- and the 12-month follow-ups, children of mothers whose depression had remitted, regardless of treatment assignment, had significantly fewer behavior problems than children whose mothers remained depressed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results support the need to expand access to, and support participation in, depression treatment among low-income women from minority racial-ethnic groups. Although treatment alone of this undertreated population was not associated with improvement in children's outcomes, it is a necessary first step to prevent psychopathology among offspring of depressed parents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Loyola University Maryland, 5911 York Rd, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21212, USA. mcoiro@loyola.edu
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Coiro
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Broitman
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miranda
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents