Maternal depression is a well-known risk factor for child development. Longitudinal studies extending from pregnancy to adulthood, however, are rare.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether maternal high depressive symptom trajectories (chronic or intermittent depressive symptom patterns) from pregnancy to the adolescence of the children predict lower adaptive functioning or higher levels of emotional or behavioural symptoms in young adults.

The sample comprised 329 first-time mothers from maternity centres in Tampere, Finland. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) antenatally and at two months, six months, 4–5 years, 8–9 years and 16–17 years after delivery. A model including four symptom trajectories (very low, low-stable, high-stable and intermittent) was selected to describe the symptom patterns over time. Adaptive functioning and problems of the children (n = 144) were assessed by the Adult Self Report forms (Achenbach & Rescorla) at the age of 27 years.

High maternal depressive symptom trajectories did not predict self-reported lower adaptive functioning of the children in adulthood. However, children of mothers with chronic or intermittent depressive symptom patterns reported higher levels of internalising problems as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety in young adulthood than the children of mothers with very low or low stable symptom patterns.

High maternal depressive symptom trajectories predict higher levels of emotional symptoms of children in young adulthood. The mechanisms of intergenerational transmission are important topics for further research.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.