Ten studies were included in the review (n=1,120). Sample sizes ranged from 10 to 260 participants.
Child outcomes and parental treatment (nine studies): Five studies reported improvements in child psychopathology associated with mother's treatment. These included emotional and behavioural health, and psychiatric diagnoses. Six studies examined psychosocial outcomes, five of which reported improvements that arose from the mother's treatment. Academic functioning (three studies), global functioning (one study) and mother-child relationships (two studies) were reported to be improved in studies of treatment for maternal depression.
Child outcomes associated with specific parental response (six studies): Five studies reported a significant association between parental reduction or remission of depression and child outcomes. Reductions of greater than 50% in maternal symptoms was associated with fewer child psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses. Reductions of parent depression greater than 40% resulted in fewer internalising and externalising symptoms (one study); reductions in maternal depression showed similar results (one study), with the addition of improved learning and overall functioning outcomes. Fully remitted parents were associated with improved child functioning (one study).
Longer term benefits were noted for behavioural and functioning outcomes in three studies (follow-up ranged from six months to 10 years).