Children who grow up with depressed mothers are more likely to have lower IQs, according to new research at the University of California, San Diego. It found the impact can last until the child is 16 years old.
The study focused on approximately 900 healthy children and their mothers living in Chile. The participants were surveyed every five years from the child’s infancy through age 16.
Researchers found depressed moms weren't as emotionally invested in their child, and that those children had slightly lower IQ scores.
Next, scientists want to see if kids whose moms are depressed are more likely to be depressed or obese.