New ARCH Research

A new ARCH Lab paper entitled, “Mediated moderation of the relation between maternal and adolescent depressive symptoms: role of adolescent physical health” was recently published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. Evidence suggested both a direct negative effect of maternal depression on symptoms of depression in adolescents, as well as an indirect effect whereby maternal depression resulted in declines in family functioning which subsequently had a negative impact on adolescent depressive symptoms. Of interest was the finding that this indirect effect was significantly more pronounced in adolescents who have a chronic health condition. That is, the mental health of adolescents with chronic health conditions is more vulnerable to declines in family functioning compared to adolescents without chronic health conditions. Within the framework of family-centered care, maternal depressive symptoms and family functioning are suitable targets for intervention to prevent symptoms of depression in adolescents with chronic health conditions.