MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Maternal depressive symptoms, employment, and social support

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2014

ISSN: 1557-2625; 1557-2625

DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2014.01.130126 [doi]

PMID: 24390890

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and employment and whether it is mediated by social support. METHODS: We used data from a nationally representative sample of 700 US women who gave birth in 2005 and completed 2 surveys in the Listening to Mothers series, the first in early 2006, an average of 7.3 months postpartum, and the second an average of 13.4 months postpartum. A dichotomous measure of depressive symptoms was calculated from the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and women reported their employment status and levels of social support from partners and others. We modeled the association between maternal employment and depressive symptoms using multivariate logistic regression, including social support and other control variables. RESULTS: Maternal employment and high support from a nonpartner source were both independently associated with significantly lower odds of depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.35 and P = .011, and AOR, 0.40, P = .011, respectively). These relationships remained significant after controlling for mothers' baseline mental and physical health, babies' health, and demographic characteristics (AOR, 0.326 and P = .015, and AOR, 0.267 and P = .025, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal employment and strong social support, particularly nonpartner support, were independently associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Clinicians should encourage mothers of young children who are at risk for depression to consider ways to optimize their employment circumstances and "other" social support.

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Gjerdingen, Dwenda K; McGovern, Patricia M; Attanasio, Laura B; Johnson, Pamela Jo; Kozhimannil, Katy B.

Periodical (Full): Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM

Issue: 1

Volume: 27

Pages: 87-182

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop