Turns out depression in mothers may have long-term effects on their children's stress and physical well-being. In a new study researchers followed 125 children from birth to 10 years. At 10 years mother's and children's cortisol (CT) and secretory immunoglobulin (s-IgA)--markers of stress and the immune system--were measured mother-child interaction was observed mothers and children underwent psychiatric diagnoses and children's externalizing and internalizing symptoms were reported. Depressed mothers had higher CT and s-IgA levels and displayed more negative parenting characterised by negative effect intrusion and criticism. Children of depressed mothers tended to exhibit certain psychiatric disorders having higher s-IgA levels
