Depression and Service Use Among Caregivers Dually Involved in the Child Welfare and Mental Health Systems

Abstract

Introduction The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression, use of mental health services, and correlates of service use among caregivers who are dually involved in the child welfare and child mental health systems. Methods This study analyzed baseline data from 129 caregivers who reported child welfare system involvement and were participating in a Multiple Family Group service delivery model to reduce childhood disruptive behavior disorders. Results Seventy-eight (60.5%) of caregivers met or exceed the clinical-cut off for depression; of them 50 (64.1%) reported utilizing mental health services for their emotional health. Race, employment status, and CES-D score were significantly associated with lifetime mental heath services use. Discussion Depression rates exceeded those found among caregiver involved in either the child welfare or child mental health systems. Rates of service use were higher than found in existing research. As expected, racial differences and depression were associated with service use; contrary to expectations, full time employment was not associated with service use. Discrepancies between this study and existing research are discussed, as are practice, policy, and research implications.

Pilot Randomized Trial of a Family Management Efficacy Intervention for Caregivers of African American Adolescents with Disruptive Behaviors

“…Caregivers report that these interactions can leave them feeling stressed, disrespected and blamed for their adolescents' behaviors, and often excluded from decision-making about their adolescent's care (Baker-Ericzén, Jenkins, & Brookman-Frazee, 2010;Oruche et al, 2015;Valenzuela & Smith, 2016). These experiences can lead to caregiver disengagement from and resistance to recommended evidence-based regimens for their adolescent's care, which in turn, contributes to poor adolescent outcomes (Acri, Bornheimer, Jessell, Flaherty, & McKay, 2016;Acri, Gopalan, Lalayants, & McKay, 2015;Gopalan, Dean-Assael, Klingenstein, Chacko, & McKay, 2011;Schattner, 2014). Moreover, caregivers have high rates of physical and mental health problems, caregiver stress, and low quality of life that can be exacerbated by stressful interactions with child service professionals (Gerkensmeyer, Perkins, Scott, & Wu, 2008;Gopalan et al, 2011).…”