Exploring the Correlation between Maternal Depression and Behavioral Issues in Children

Abstract

The  objective  of  this  study  was  to  investigate  the  correlation  between  maternal depression and the probability of behavioral problems and depression in children. A new  instrument,  called  the  Childhood  Depression  Scale,  was  created  to  evaluate mother   depression.   It   consists   of   forty-three   items   that   are   divided   into   emotional, behavioral,  motivational,  cognitive,  and  physical  subscales.  The  psychological  well-being  of the  offspring  was  further  examinedusing  the  Strengths  and  Difficulties  Questionnaire (SDQ),  which  has  five  subscales  with  five  items  each.  The  dependability  of  the  Childhood Depression   Scale,   as   well   as   its   subscales,   was   proven   through   meticulous   analysis. Furthermore,  the  study  established  construct  validity,  more  specifically  convergent  validity, by  comparing  the  Childhood  Depression  Scale  with  the  Child  Problem  Checklist  (CPCL). This   research   provides   vital   insights   into   the   intricate   correlation   between   maternal depression  and  its  possible  influence  on  children's  mental  health,  offering  a  complete methodological  approach  and  dependable  evaluation  tools  for  future  investigations  in  this critical field of study.