Longitudinal Impact of ADHD Symptoms in the Trajectory of Maternal Depression Symptoms

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a commonly occurring childhood disorder that has lasting impacts into adolescence. Research has demonstrated the effects of ADHD on caregiver well-being. However, less is known about how ADHD symptoms longitudinally impact maternal depressive symptoms throughout their child’s adolescence. This study used data from a community sample of children and their mothers. Children were recruited in late childhood (M= 12.07, SD= 0.90) and followed for multiple years (M= 18.05, SD= 0.96). Mothers completed the Disruptive Behavior Disorder Rating Scale to obtain a measure of their child’s ADHD symptoms at baseline (i.e., when the child was approximately 11) as well as the CES-D annually throughout the course of their child’s adolescence. Latent Growth Modeling was used to model the intercept and slope of mothers’ self-reported depression symptoms scores across their participation in the study during their late childhood to late adolescent years (ages 12-18). Results indicated that the slope of maternal depressive symptoms was flat (unchanging) across their child’s adolescence. Childhood ADHD also significantly predicted the intercept of maternal depressive symptoms at child age 12 but did not predict the slope of maternal depressive symptoms across adolescence. The results of this study provide compelling evidence about the impact of ADHD symptoms on maternal mental health as well as the longevity of its effects. Therefore, it appears intervention efforts aimed at mothers with children with elevated ADHD symptoms are warranted especially prior to their child’s adolescence.