Children's perceptions of caregiving by depressed mothers

This thesis examined maternal caregiving as a function of maternal depression. Subjects were 184 fourth through seventh grade children and their mothers. Mothers' depression classification was determined by scores on a depression inventory. Both children and mothers responded to questionnaires developed to measure parenting style. Children also completed a peer nomination inventory to measure adjustment in the peer group. It was hypothesized that depressed mothers would be perceived as more likely to engage in negative parenting behaviors and less likely to exhibit positive caregiving. Similarly, it was expected that children with depressed mothers would exhibit greater internalizing/externalizing behavior problems in the peer group. Results were the reverse of those expected, with children of depressed mothers perceiving less use of aversive caregiving behaviors, and more positive interaction. Maternal depression was unrelated to measures of internalizing and externalizing behaviors.