Youth internalizing problems, including depression and anxiety, are
increasingly prevalent (Mojtabai et al., 2016). Given their predictions of poor
social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes (Ferdinand & Verhulst, 1995), it
is important to identify their early risk factors. Parent psychopathology
and interparental conflict are known predictors of child internalizing
problems (Buehler et al., 1997; Downey & Coyne, 1990); however, previous
studies have failed to consider separate dimensions of parent
psychopathology, including potential interactive associations. To address
these gaps, the present study tested parental depression, parental ADHD,
and interparental conflict as independent and interactive predictors of
longitudinal change in youth internalizing problems from childhood to early
adolescence. Uncovering such risk factors is critical in providing valuable
information to target effective intervention strategies.
