Pediatric disability and adult depression have emerged as public health problems of national importance. These conditions often co-occur within families, increasing the risk for dysfunction and additional morbidity for family members. This study investigates the needs and health service use in a nationally representative sample of families using the 1994 National Health Interview Survey, Supplement on Disability (NHIS-D), conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. Approximately 20,000 children (ages 0-17) will be reported on in this analysis, of whom 3,200 are disabled, representing an estimated 10 million children and more than 1.5 million disabled children in the U.S. respectively. Biological mothers of the children were the respondents. Preliminary, unadjusted findings suggest that children of depressed mothers use more health care than children of non-depressed mothers. Disabled children of depressed mothers have significantly more psychological problems, use more mental health services, and have more unmet need for mental health services, as compared with disabled children of non-depressed mothers. All p's <.01. Multivariate analyses will control for age, gender and SES. The results of this study will be useful in developing a conceptual model of the effects on illness on families and for guiding preventive and clinical efforts.
Learning Objectives: 1.) Participants will better understand the associations between maternal depression and child health outcomes for able and disabled children. 2.) Participants will be to articulate the inter-relationships between disorders in family members, other stressors in the family, and use of mental health care by mothers and children. 3.) At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to assess the dual burden of childhood disability and maternal depression, characterize the factors associated with additional psychological morbidity among family members, and describe the major determinants of mental health care utilization among family members
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Mental Health Services
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: NRSA Institutional Fellowship