Correlates of Maternal Depressive Symptoms in a National Head Start Program Sample

Abstract

To examine correlates of maternal depressive symptoms in a diverse, national sample of mothers whose kindergarten-aged children attended a Head Start program. Design and Participants: A cross-sectional study of 5820 mothers was conducted during their child's kindergarten year. Main Outcome Measure: Rates of maternal depressive symptoms were assessed by a validated 3-item depression screen. Results: The ethnic makeup of the group of mothers was non-Hispanic white, 46%; African American, 30%; Hispanic, 13%; American Indian, 6%; Asian American, 1%; and other, 4%. The mean (SD) age of the mothers was 30.1 (5.55) years, 57% were unemployed, and 68% had at least a high school diploma or had earned a high school equiva-lency diploma. More than 40% of the mothers screened positive for depressive symptoms. The strongest associations after controlling for several biological and demographic variables were maternal chronic health problem (adjusted odds ratio, 2.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.98-3.87), homelessness (adjusted odds ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-2.77), and lowest income level (adjusted odds ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-1.88). Conclusions: Depressive symptoms were common among mothers of young children in this national sample. Interventions must be targeted at alleviating maternal depressive symptoms by decreasing poverty, providing support programs for single parents, and establishing accessible and affordable medical care for all parents and their children. Primary care physicians can play a key role in early identification and intervention.

Association of Maternal Obesity and Depressive Symptoms With Television-Viewing Time in Low-Income Preschool Children

“…Although our study was limited to a predominantly white population of low-income mothers and their preschool children, the amount of children's TV viewing 30 and the prevalence of maternal depressive symptoms 22 and maternal obesity 18,31 were comparable with those found in studies of other low-income families. The WIC Program currently serves more than 7 million women and children in the United States, and almost half of all US children are enrolled in WIC at some point in their lives.…”

“…We tested these hypotheses in low-income families because obesity, 18 depressive symptoms, 22,23 and TV viewing 11 are more common in low-income women.…”

Demographic Characteristics of Participants in Studies of Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment of Postpartum Depression

“…Further, the limited available evidence suggests that the subpopulations identified here as being seldom included in postpartum depression research may be at increased risk for this condition. For example, elevated rates of postpartum depression have been reported among adolescent mothers (19)(20)(21)(22), single mothers (23)(24)(25)(26), women of low socioeconomic status (13,27,28), and immigrant mothers (29)(30)(31)(32)(33). Studies evaluating risk factors and effective interventions for postpartum depression among members of these populations are therefore essential.…”

Enhancing cross-system collaboration for caregivers at risk for depression

“…Estimates of maternal depression range from 10 % to 42 % [7][8][9][10][11], with low-income women disproportionately affected [12][13][14]. Depression also occurs in fathers, but is much less common [15].…”