Family life events, maternal depression, and maternal and teacher descriptions of child behavior.

The relationship between family life events, maternal depression, and teacher and maternal ratings of child behavior was studied in a birth cohort of New Zealand children. Analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis showed that for maternal ratings of child behavior, both maternal depression and family life events made significant independent contributions. For teacher ratings of child behavior, the only significant predictor was family life events. These results persisted when appropriate controls for family social, economic, and demographic characteristics were taken into account. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.