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This article examined the associations between family processes and children's development among mothers and their children participating in early intervention (EI) services. Data from mothers and their infants and toddlers (n = 100) participating in EI were analyzed using regression methods to test the predictive power of maternal depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and quality of mother-child interactions on children's behavior problems and social and emotional competence. Mother-child interactions were the most robust predictor of child behavior problems and competence. The presence of clinically elevated maternal depressive symptoms was high (30%) and associated with more child behavior problems. Stronger endorsement of self-efficacy also was related to higher levels of child social and emotional competence. We discuss our findings related to opportunities and challenges to support mothers experiencing depressive symptoms. EI services that strive toward an integrated approach could identify mothers with depressive symptoms and play an increased role in directly addressing their needs.

BACKGROUND: Green care is an umbrella term for psychosocial interventions that integrate biotic and abiotic elements of nature to promote an individual's health and well-being. Green care decreases depressive symptoms but the parts of the interventions that lead to this effect are unknown. OBJECTIVES: Review of literature to evaluate perceived social support, behavioral activation, and self-efficacy as key ingredients to decrease depressive symptoms in psychosocial interventions and extrapolate those mediators, or key ingredients, to green care. DESIGN: A literature search of three databases was conducted to find relevant studies examining a psychosocial intervention for adults, the mediator of interest, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Evidence supports behavioral activation, social support, and self-efficacy as mediators of psychosocial interventions to improve depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Green care offers a portal for individuals with different depressive symptoms and severities to be treated alongside each other while receiving targeted interventions to meet the needs of each individual participant. Additionally, it offers the opportunity for psychiatric nurses to concurrently target all three active key ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]