Maternal depression and child depression in a sample of low-income, primarily racial and ethnic minority families : the mediating role of child adaptability

Maternal depression is associated with elevated levels of child internalizing mental health issues, such as depression. The impact that maternal depression has on the onset and maintenance of child depression might be especially salient in families who are low-income or ethnic and racial minorities because of elevated rates of maternal depression and environmental stressors (e.g., fewer financial resources, exposure to race-related stress, and less access to mental healthcare services). The relationship between maternal depression and child depression might be partly explained by a child’s capacity to flexibly respond to stressors in the environment, a construct known as adaptability. A simple mediation model will be conducted with a sample of low-income, predominantly Black and Latina mothers and their children (N = 133). If the analysis supports the hypotheses, the results will support a direct link between maternal depression and child depression, and child adaptability will partially mediate this link. Implications of this proposed study are provided to inform future research on the mechanisms underlying the relationship between maternal depression and child depression in low-income, ethnic and racial minority families.