Do Sad Moms Make Angry Kids?

Are school bullies a product of sad moms? Mothers who suffered
postpartum depression are more likely to see their children turn violent
as they grow up. And the children of mothers who suffer repeated episodes
of depression are at a higher risk of becoming violent, according to an
11-year study in South London that tracked children from
conception.

The study involved 122 families in urban Britain. Psychologist
Dale Hay at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom and colleagues
investigated the impact of postpartum depression on children. Mothers
were screened for depression during their pregnancy, three months
postpartum and periodically thereafter. At age 11,
the kids—along with their friends and parents—were interviewed about
violent behavior.

As expected, most children were not violent. Nonetheless, the
children of women who were depressed after childbirth were more violent than
others. This was especially true for mothers who had more than one
episode of depression after childbirth. At age 11, these children had
greater difficulties with attentiveness and controlling their emotions.
Fights often led to injuries and suspension from school. Boys were more
violent than girls.

Still, the link between maternal
depression and childhood aggression cannot be fully explained. There could be a biological
connection between anger and depression. And it is equally likely that
depressed mothers raise aggressive children. "What is clear from this
study," notes Hay, "is that the mother's mental state after childbirth is
an easily identifiable risk factor for her child's intellectual and
social development."