Executive Function, Coping, and Depressive Symptoms in Children of Depressed and non-Depressed Mothers

Abstract

This study examines the associations among executive function, coping, and depressive symptoms in a sample of adolescents.The present study examined the concurrent associations among executive functioning, coping, maternal depression history, and depressive symptoms in adolescents. The sample included 82 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 and their mothers, recruited to represent a range of maternal depression history. Results indicated that adolescents of mothers with a history of depression were more depressed than adolescents of mothers without a history. In the full sample, significant relations were found between measures of coping and depressive symptoms, executive function and depressive symptoms, and executive function and coping. The association between executive function and depressive symptoms was accounted for secondary control coping. Findings suggest that better EFs, coupled with increased secondary control coping, may protect against depressive symptoms in adolescents with and without a history of exposure to maternal depression.Vanderbilt UniversityPsychologyArts & SciencesThesis completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Honors Program in Psychological Science