In contrast to the postpartum period, when mothers are most at risk for depression, Dr Dow-Fleisner wanted to focus on depression that strikes children later in life.
Her team used data from a significant longitudinal US study to compare the characteristics of depressed and non-depressed mothers of nine-year-old children.
“Being a mother with depression carries increased risks for a child’s physical and psychological health,” said Dr Sarah Dow-Fleisner, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work and Director of the Centre for the Study of Services to Children and Families at UBC Okanagan.“Furthermore, mothers with depression reported fewer interpersonal supports and community resources than mothers without depression,” said Dr Dow-Fleisner.
These findings fit with a resilience perspective, whereby mothers facing adversity like depression can still thrive as parents - especially when these protective factors are present.