The relationship between maternal and child symptom change in community mental health.

The mental health of mothers and children are closely linked. This study examined the relationship between child and maternal symptom change during a period in which children participated in community mental health treatment. Symptom change was measured using the Child Behavior Checklist for children and the Beck Depression Inventory for Mothers. Results indicate that mothers whose children improve in community mental health treatment are significantly more likely to report a reduction in maternal depressive symptoms than mothers whose children do not improve. Implications of these findings for mental health service settings are discussed.