RT Journal
A1 Lanzi R, Pascoe JM, Keltner B, Ramey S
T1 COrrelates of maternal depressive symptoms in a national head start program sample
JF Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
JO Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
YR 1999
FD August 1
VO 153
IS 8
SP 801
OP 807
DO 10.1001/archpedi.153.8.801
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.153.8.801
AB Objective 
    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 equivalency 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.