Study: Kids With Depressed Mothers Do Better With Day Care

MSNBC reports that an Australian study found formal day care helps children of mothers who have recurring, but not intermittent, depression. The children of 438 mothers were followed from infancy to age 5. Those whose mothers had regular depressive episodes were 4 times as likely than others to have significant behavior problems such as aggression, anxiety, depression, and withdrawn behavior by the time they were 5 years old.

However, day care for as little as half a day from age 2 onward "significantly modified the effect of recurrent maternal depressive symptoms on total behavior problems," says the study's abstract.

MSNBC reporter Linda Carroll spoke to several leading authorities about the study, who said many factors probably contribute to the overall effect of day care on children of depressed mothers. These include: Giving the mother a break from the pressure of parenting, allowing her to be less stressed while the child is home Putting the child in an environment that develops socialization skills. A depressed mother is more likely to keep herself - and thus her children - more isolated. Allowing the child to be more expressive and to receive more appropriate attention from adults. Informal child care such as babysitting had no effect on the likelihood of behavior problems developing.

While this study was done using mothers who suffer from depression, the results are also of interest regarding mothers who have bipolar disorder. Depressive episodes are far more common than hypomanic or manic episodes.

Does, or did, your child go to day care at a young age or not? In either case, what do you notice about problem behavior issues like those listed above?

Sources:
Carroll, L. Kids with depressed moms do better in day care. MSNBC. 6/13/11
Giles, LC, et al. Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Child Care During Toddlerhood Relate to Child Behavior at Age 5 Years. Pediatrics. 6/13/11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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