NCJ Number
227138
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 33 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2009 Pages: 127-138
Date Published
March 2009
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined the prevalence of and changes in depressive symptoms in mothers enrolled in home visitation.
Abstract
Findings suggest that maternal depressive symptoms are a significant problem found in mothers enrolled in home visitation. Results show that one-third of mothers demonstrated clinically elevated scores on a widely used depression screen at enrollment, and almost half exhibited elevated scores at either enrollment or 9 months later. Rates are consistent with those found in low income women and with other Home Visitation Programs in the first year of service; results provided a more comprehensive picture of the extent of elevated symptoms experienced by mothers. A portion of mothers (45.3 percent) had elevated levels at both points in time, indicating a persistence of depressive symptoms. Yet, 56.5 percent of mothers who had elevated symptoms at enrollment were no longer depressed after 9 months. Finally, 25.9 percent of mothers either remained in the depressed category or later became depressed at the 9 month mark, and 74.1 percent had experienced an interpersonal trauma prior to enrollment. In terms of clinical severity, for the mothers obtaining scores indicative of clinically significant depressive symptoms, the scores were in the moderate range and consistent with a major depressive episode. Lack of improvement or worsening of depressive symptoms from enrollment at 9 months was best predicted by pre-enrollment interpersonal trauma history, young maternal age, being African-American, and symptoms severe enough to have led to mental health treatment. Data were collected from 806 mothers enrolled in the Home Visitation Program Every Child Succeeds. Tables, figure, and references