Preschool follow-up of infants of dysphoric mothers

Observed dysphoric (chronically but not clinically depressed) mothers with their infants from 3 months following birth to the preschool stage (M = 3.9 years). The infants of dysphoric mothers had lower interaction ratings and lower heart rate variability. At the preschool stage, the dysphoric dyads also had lower interaction ratings, and the dysphoric mothers rated their preschool children as being more vulnerable and having more internalizing (depressed) and externalizing problems (aggressive and destructive). Only the internalizing and externalizing problems at preschool age were significantly related to infancy stage measures, including the Profile of Mood States (mothers' depressed mood), the infants' interaction ratings, and heart rate range during interactions with a stranger and the infants' weight. These infancy variables may be early markers for later behavior problems.