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. 2012 Sep;42(5):787-97.
doi: 10.1007/s10519-012-9550-1. Epub 2012 Jun 13.

Current parental depression and offspring perceived self-competence: a quasi-experimental examination

Quetzal A Class  1 , Brian M D'Onofrio, Amber L Singh, Jody M Ganiban, E L Spotts, Paul Lichtenstein, David Reiss, Jenae M Neiderhiser
Affiliations

Current parental depression and offspring perceived self-competence: a quasi-experimental examination

Quetzal A Class et al. Behav Genet. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

A genetically-informed, quasi-experimental design was used to examine the genetic and environmental processes underlying associations between current parental depressive symptoms and offspring perceived self-competence. Participants, drawn from a population-based Swedish sample, were 852 twin pairs and their male (52 %) and female offspring aged 15.7 ± 2.4 years. Parental depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Offspring perceived self-competence was measured using a modified Harter Perceived Competence Scale. Cousin comparisons and Children of Twins designs suggested that associations between maternal depressive symptoms and offspring perceived self-competence were due to shared genetic/environmental liability. The mechanism responsible for father-offspring associations, however, was independent of genetic factors and of extended family environmental factors, supporting a causal inference. Thus, mothers and fathers may impact offspring perceived self-competence via different mechanisms and unmeasured genetic and environmental selection factors must be considered when studying the intergenerational transmission of cognitive vulnerabilities for depression.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Impact of Current Parental Depression on Adolescent Perceived Self-Competence
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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