Degree Name
MPH (Master of Public Health)
Program
Public Health
Date of Award
8-2008
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Tiejian Wu
Committee Members
James E. Florence, James L. Anderson
Abstract
This study examined maternal depression status from month 1 to 36 after birth using data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Maternal depression was assessed with the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The prevalence of maternal depression was highest at 1 month, decreased at 6 months, and then kept fairly stable to 36 months. The prevalence was higher in blacks than other races, in 18-24 than 25-46 years old, and in single mothers than non-single mothers. Mothers with better physical health, social support, or employed had a lower prevalence than their counterparts. Mothers in poverty, receiving public assistance, or who had more parental stress had a higher prevalence. Social support and parental stress had a statistically significant relationship with maternal depression even after adjusting for other variables. In conclusion, this longitudinal study found that several maternal, child, and family factors were associated with maternal depression.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Wang, Liang, "An Epidemiological Study of Maternal Depression: Findings from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development." (2008). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1984. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1984
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.