2002 International International Biennial Scientific Meeting

A PROSPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN OF POSTNATALLY DEPRESSED MOTHERS

Lynne Murray

Department of Psychology, University of Reading, UK

lynne.murray@reading.ac.uk

Data are presented from a prospective, longitudinal study of the development of children of postnatally depressed and well mothers. The children have been assessed through infancy, and at five, eight and thirteen years. They are currently being seen at age 16. Results of assessments of the children's social and emotional functioning are considered in relation to the course of maternal depression and the nature of parent-child relationships.