Longitudinal interactions between maternal depression symptoms and familial stressful life events on child anxiety symptoms at 5 years of age

Abstract In the current study we identified salient parental factors for child anxiety symptoms by considering the role of stressful life events, maternal anxiety symptoms, maternal depressive symptoms, and maternal neuroticism. Families ( N = 399) in an urban area in the United States were participants in a longitudinal study beginning in infancy. Mothers completed measures of stressful life events (Revised Life Events Questionnaire at all visits), maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms (State–Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively, at infancy between 5 and 12 months, at 2 years, and at 3 years), maternal neuroticism (NEO Five–Factor Inventory at infancy), and child anxiety symptoms (Child Behavior Checklist 1.5–5 at 5 years). Linear mixed models (LMMs) were used in analyses. Maternal depressive symptoms from infancy through 3 years were associated with child anxiety symptoms; other main effects modeled (stressful life events, maternal anxiety symptoms, maternal neuroticism) were not associated with child anxiety symptoms. There was a significant interaction effect between stressful life events and maternal depression. Stressful events from infancy through 5 years of age increased risk for child anxiety symptoms at 5 years if the child's mother had a mild mood disturbance or depression, but not for children with non–depressed mothers.