Behavioral, interactional and developmental symptomatology in toddlers of depressed mothers: a preliminary clinical study within the DC:0-3 framework

(p<.03), receptive (p<.05) and overall communication (p<.03) and coping skills (p<.03) of the Vineland and total scales (p<.05) of both developmental measures and higher on psychosocial stressor severity assessments (p<.01). More mother-infant dyads in the study group presented with relationship disorders (p<.01) with considerably lower PIR-GAS (global assessment scale for parent-infant relationship) scores (p<.001). Infants of depressed mothers were also significantly more likely to show problematic attachment behavior to their mothers (p<.01). As a factor leading to the increased risk of childhood developmental problems and psychopathology, maternal depression requires special attention during clinical assessment of infants and toddlers.