Infants of depressed mothers show less “depressed” behavior with their nursery teachers Article

Pelaez‐Nogueras, M, Field, T, Cigales, M et al. (1994). Infants of depressed mothers show less “depressed” behavior with their nursery teachers . 15(4), 358-367. 10.1002/1097-0355(199424)15:4<358::AID-IMHJ2280150405>3.0.CO;2-U

cited authors

  • Pelaez‐Nogueras, M; Field, T; Cigales, M; Gonzalez, A; Clasky, S

authors

abstract

  • This study investigated whether infants' “depressed” behavior (i.e., less positive affect and lower activity levels) noted during their interactions with their depressed mothers generalized to their interactions with their nondepressed nursery teachers. Field et al. (1988) reported that infants of depressed mothers also show “depressed behavior” when interacting with nondepressed female adults, suggesting that the infants develop a generalized “depressed mood style” of interaction. However, in that study the adults were also strangers to the infants, confounding the results. in the present study, eighteen 3‐month‐old infants interacted with their depressed mothers and also with their nondepressed familiar teachers in 3‐minute episodes. The infants' behavior ratings improved when they interacted with their familiar teachers compared to their interactions with their mothers. The infants' low activity levels and negative affect were specific to their interactions with their depressed mothers. Thus, the data suggest that the infants respond differentially to depressed and nondepressed adults who are familiar. Copyright © 1994 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health

publication date

  • January 1, 1994

start page

  • 358

end page

  • 367

volume

  • 15

issue

  • 4