Socio-Demographic and Coping Correlates and Predictors of Depressive Symptoms Among Low-Income and Ethnic Minority Mothers At-Risk

Rahshida Atkins, Shanda Johnson, Manuel C. F. Pontes, Tiffany Stellmacher, Daniella Gadaleta, Helene Lewis, Arta Qosja, Dana Finkelstein and Wanda Williams

Clinical Nursing Research, 2022, vol. 31, issue 1, 100-114

Abstract: This study identified coping and sociodemographic correlates and predictors of depressive symptoms in mothers at risk for clinical depression. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was employed. A convenience sample of 88 low-income or ethnic-minority mothers aged 21 to 45 completed a depression scale, demographic data sheet, and responded to an open-ended question. Content analysis, descriptive, and inferential statistics was used for data analysis. Exactly 42.5% of mothers reported high depressive symptoms (>16). Lower income levels ( r  = .342, p  = .01) and head-of-household status ( r  = .220, p  = .04) were significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms. Those who used social support coping had lower depressive symptoms than those who did not ( t  = 2.50, p  = .014). Those using emotion-focused coping only had higher depressive symptoms than those using a mix of coping strategies ( t  = 2.60, p  = .011). Healthcare providers can employ vigilant depression screening and encourage utilization of a mix of problem and emotion-focused coping strategies to reduce depressive symptoms and prevent clinical depression.

Keywords: mental health; depression; women’s health; health disparities; depressive symptoms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:clnure:v:31:y:2022:i:1:p:100-114

DOI: 10.1177/10547738211029685

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