title: Pathways from maternal depressive symptoms to adolescent depressive symptoms: the unique contribution of irritability symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The authors tested three possible pathways linking prenatal maternal depressive symptoms to adolescent depressive symptoms. These pathways went through childhood Irritability Symptoms, Anxiety/Depressive Symptoms or Conduct Problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from 3,963 mother-child pairs participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Measures include maternal depressive symptoms (pre- and postnatal); toddler temperament (2 years); childhood (7-13 years) irritability symptoms, anxiety/depressive symptoms, conduct problems, and adolescent depressive symptoms (16 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Irritability Symptoms: This pathway linked sequentially - prenatal maternal depressive symptoms, toddler temperament (high perceived intensity and low perceived adaptability), childhood irritability symptoms, and adolescent depressive symptoms. Anxiety/Depressive symptoms: This pathway linked sequentially - prenatal maternal depressive symptoms, toddler temperament (negative perceived mood), childhood anxiety/depressive symptoms, and adolescent depressive symptoms. Childhood conduct problems were not associated with adolescent depressive symptoms, above and beyond irritability symptoms and anxiety/depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest evidence for two distinct developmental pathways to adolescent depressive symptoms that involve specific early and midchildhood features.
authors: Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK.
authors: Yvonne M
authors: YM
authors: Whelan
authors: Section on Bipolar Spectrum Disorders, Division of Intramural Research Programs, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors: Ellen
authors: E
authors: Leibenluft
authors: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
authors: Argyris
authors: A
authors: Stringaris
authors: Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
authors: Edward D
authors: ED
authors: Barker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000523:psychology*; D013694:Temperament / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Psychopathology; depression; development; mother-child relationships; oppositional defiant disorder