The results of a recent study show that the depressive symptoms, social and behavioral problems present in the children of depressed mothers may improve if moms are successfully treated for their conditions.

Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center worked with 150 eligible mothers and their children, who were between the ages of 7 and 17. The offspring underwent evaluation for depression at the beginning of the study and later on, after their mothers had received treatment.

Based on the study results, the faster mothers received treatment and showed signs of improvement, the quicker their children's behaviors improved. Continued progress was even observed as late as one year after the moms' depression went into remission.

The researchers also found that when treating a mother alone, their offspring's conditions still showed signs of improvement as they themselves recovered.

However, children whose mothers did not respond to the depression treatments did not show any signs of improvement and their conditions worsened. For the researchers, these findings shine a light on the importance of early and aggressive treatment of this emotional disorder.

Teenagers who show signs of depressive symptoms may be able to seek treatment from boarding schools.