Researchers in Greece studied 200 preschool children and their mothers to understand how a mother’s mental health might connect to anxiety in young children. They found that when mothers experienced anxiety or depression, their children were more likely to show signs of worry and stress. Interestingly, mothers with higher education levels reported noticing more anxiety symptoms in their kids, though this might mean they were simply more aware of the signs. The study suggests that a mother’s emotional well-being could play a role in a child’s emotional development, but many other factors—like a father’s mental health, family relationships, and friendships at school—also matter significantly.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a mother’s anxiety, depression, education level, diet, and lifestyle habits are connected to anxiety symptoms in preschool-aged children (ages 3-5)
  • Who participated: 200 preschool children and their mothers from Greece. The study looked at mothers’ mental health, education, weight, eating habits, and lifestyle choices to see if these connected to children’s anxiety levels
  • Key finding: Mothers who experienced anxiety had children who showed more anxiety symptoms in everyday situations. Mothers with depression symptoms had children with stronger overall anxiety patterns. These connections were modest, meaning other factors also play important roles
  • What it means for you: If you’re a parent experiencing anxiety or depression, getting support for your own mental health may help your child’s emotional well-being. However, this study shows correlation (two things happening together), not that one causes the other. Many other factors influence child anxiety, so this is just one piece of the puzzle

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study, which is like taking a snapshot in time rather than following people over months or years. They gathered information from 200 mothers and their preschool children in Greece all at roughly the same time. Mothers completed questionnaires about their own anxiety, depression, education, diet quality (using a Mediterranean diet score), and lifestyle habits. Children were assessed for two types of anxiety: state anxiety (worry in specific situations) and trait anxiety (a general tendency to feel worried). The researchers used statistical tools to figure out which maternal factors were most connected to each type of child anxiety.

Understanding the connection between maternal mental health and child anxiety is important because anxiety in young children can affect their development and learning. By identifying these connections, doctors and counselors can better support families. However, a cross-sectional study only shows that things happen together at one point in time—it doesn’t prove that one causes the other, which is why the researchers emphasize the need for longer-term studies

The study used validated, well-established questionnaires that researchers worldwide use to measure anxiety and depression, which strengthens the reliability of the findings. However, the study explains only a small portion of why children develop anxiety (less than 15%), suggesting many important factors weren’t measured. The researchers acknowledge this limitation and note that fathers’ mental health, family dynamics, genetics, and peer relationships likely play significant roles that weren’t captured in this study

What the Results Show

The strongest connection found was between mothers’ depression symptoms and children’s overall anxiety patterns (trait anxiety). When mothers reported more depressive symptoms, their children tended to show stronger anxiety traits. The second key finding was that mothers’ own anxiety was connected to children’s anxiety in specific situations (state anxiety)—when mothers felt anxious, their children were more likely to show worry in everyday moments.

Interestingly, mothers with higher education levels reported noticing more anxiety in their children. The researchers suggest this might mean educated mothers are simply more aware of anxiety symptoms, or it could reflect other unmeasured factors. This finding was weaker than the mental health connections.

The study found no strong connections between mothers’ diet quality, weight, or lifestyle factors and children’s anxiety levels, though the researchers note this doesn’t mean these factors are unimportant—they may just not be the primary drivers of childhood anxiety.

The study examined whether Mediterranean diet quality (eating more vegetables, fish, and healthy oils) connected to child anxiety, but found no significant relationship. Similarly, mothers’ weight and exercise habits didn’t show strong connections to children’s anxiety levels. These findings suggest that while overall family health matters, specific maternal lifestyle factors may not directly influence child anxiety as much as psychological factors do

This research adds to growing evidence that maternal mental health influences child emotional development. Previous studies have suggested this connection, but this Greek study specifically separates two types of anxiety (state and trait) and shows they may be influenced differently by maternal factors. The finding that maternal depression affects trait anxiety more strongly aligns with other research suggesting that parental mood disorders can shape children’s underlying emotional temperament

The biggest limitation is that this study only captured information at one moment in time, so researchers can’t determine if maternal anxiety causes child anxiety or if other factors cause both. The study explains less than 15% of why children develop anxiety, meaning most of the picture is missing. The researchers didn’t measure fathers’ mental health, family relationships, genetics, or school experiences—all of which likely matter significantly. Additionally, mothers’ self-reports of their own anxiety and depression might not be completely accurate, and more-educated mothers might simply be better at noticing and reporting anxiety symptoms in their children

The Bottom Line

If you’re a parent experiencing anxiety or depression, seeking professional support (therapy, counseling, or medical treatment) may benefit both your mental health and your child’s emotional well-being. This is supported by modest evidence from this study combined with broader research on parental mental health. However, remember that child anxiety has many causes, so addressing maternal mental health is one helpful step among many. Consider also fostering strong family relationships, creating predictable routines, and ensuring your child has positive peer relationships and school experiences

This research is most relevant to parents of preschool-aged children (3-5 years old), especially those experiencing anxiety or depression. It’s also valuable for pediatricians, preschool teachers, and mental health professionals working with young children. Parents should not assume their anxiety automatically causes their child’s anxiety—many other factors matter. If your child shows signs of anxiety, a professional evaluation is important to understand the specific causes

If a parent addresses their own anxiety or depression through treatment, improvements in child anxiety might take weeks to months to become noticeable, as children gradually adjust to changes in the home environment. This isn’t a quick fix—emotional changes develop gradually in young children

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your own stress and anxiety levels daily using a simple 1-10 scale, and separately note any anxious behaviors you observe in your child (like reluctance to separate, worry about specific situations, or physical signs like stomach complaints). Over 2-4 weeks, look for patterns in whether your stress levels and your child’s anxiety symptoms tend to occur together
  • If you notice your anxiety is elevated, practice a 5-minute calming activity (deep breathing, short walk, or meditation) before or after stressful moments with your child. Log when you do this and note your child’s mood afterward. Small changes in your own stress management may create a calmer home environment
  • Create a monthly check-in where you rate your own mental health and your child’s anxiety symptoms. Share this information with your pediatrician or counselor to track whether interventions for your mental health are also helping your child’s emotional well-being. This long-term tracking helps identify patterns that a single snapshot cannot

This research shows a connection between maternal mental health and child anxiety, but does not prove that one causes the other. This study was conducted in Greece and may not apply equally to all populations. If you or your child are experiencing anxiety or depression, consult with a qualified healthcare provider, pediatrician, or mental health professional for personalized evaluation and treatment. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Many factors influence child anxiety beyond maternal mental health, including genetics, temperament, peer relationships, school experiences, and family dynamics.