This study utilizes a transactional framework to examine the influence of maternal depression and unsupportive emotion socialization at three time points from ages 5 to 10. Data from the Right Track project was used. Maternal depression, which has been linked to both unsupportive emotion socialization and children’s depressive symptoms, was measured with maternal report on the SCL-90-R at ages 5, 7, and 10. Unsupportive emotion socialization, which has also been linked to children’s depressive symptoms, was measured with maternal report on the Unsupportive scale on the CCNES at ages 5, 7, and 10. Children’s depressive symptoms were measured with versions of the BASC and BASC-2 at ages 5, 7, and 10. A stability model was compared to a cross-lagged model to see which model had a better fit with the data, and as hypothesized, the cross-lagged model showed a stronger fit with the data. Many of the specific study hypotheses were confirmed. Stability was found for maternal depressive symptoms, unsupportive emotion socialization, and children’s depressive symptoms from ages 5 to 7 and 7 to 10. All concurrent associations were significant for all three variables at age 5, with additional significant concurrent associations discussed for some variables at ages 7 and 10. Maternal depression at age 7 was associated with children’s depressive symptoms at age 10. Children’s depressive symptoms at age 5 were associated with maternal depression at age 7, and the same association was found from ages 7 to 10. Finally, unsupportive emotion socialization at age 5 was associated with children’s depressive symptoms at age 7. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed
