Bidirectional Pathways between Maternal and Child Depressive Symptoms: Mediating Roles of Family Routines and Household Chaos

Background Previous research has supported bidirectional associations between depressive symptoms in mothers and their children. Understanding possible mechanisms that influence these associations is needed. Objective This longitudinal study examined whether family routines and household chaos may be among the factors explaining these bidirectional associations. Methods Data used for this study were from three time points of the Families in Rapid and Stressful Transition (FIRST) Study, which collected online questionnaire data from 308 mothers and their elementary-school-aged children across 11 months during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. At each wave, participants reported on maternal and child mental health and family functioning. Results A path model supported bidirectional positive associations between mothers’ and children’s depressive symptoms over time. In addition, the indirect pathway through household chaos from child to maternal depressive symptoms was significant, suggesting that children’s depressive symptoms partially impact maternal depressive symptoms through the household environment. While maternal depressive symptoms were also positively linked to household chaos, the indirect path from maternal to child depressive symptoms through household chaos was not significant. In addition, indirect paths through family routines were not significant. Conclusions Findings support the bidirectional link between maternal and child depressive symptoms and highlight how disruptions to the household may partially explain associations between child and maternal depressive symptoms. The discussion highlights the potential value of targeting household chaos in prevention and intervention efforts.