|
|
|
|
|
Julie Knoll Rajaratnam, Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, 443-418-6954, jrajarat@jhsph.edu, Patricia O'Campo, PhD, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada, Margaret Caughy, PhD, University of Texas School of Public Health, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390, and Carles Muntaner, MD PhD, Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, 655 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Many studies have drawn ties between the neighborhood context in which one lives and adult mental health, net of independent characteristics. Some have found that these effects act through individual psychosocial processes and subsequent risk or protective behaviors. This study is unique in that it examines the relationship between neighborhoods and the mental health of women with young children; specifically looking at how the residential context impacts a mother’s perceived role demands, and in turn, her mental health. Regardless of area of residence, raising young children can be stressful and can affect the mental well-being of mothers; but it is possible that the neighborhood context adds to or multiplies this effect. The sequence of analyses in this research will look at how neighborhood structural characteristics affect health, and whether parenting stress, job demands, and lack of social support mediate the relationship or are modified themselves by the neighborhood context. Individual-level data come from 272 mothers with young children in Baltimore City who were surveyed between 1998 and 1999. Depressive symptoms of mothers were assessed using the CESD and DSM scales of depression. Neighborhood characteristics were obtained from the 2000 Census and local administrative crime data, and aggregated to the census block group level. Initial analysis reveals significant between-neighborhood variation in symptoms of depression. Further multi-level analyses will simultaneously examine the direct and indirect effects of neighborhood context on maternal depressive symptoms, as well as potential moderation of individual characteristics.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
Keywords: Poverty, Depression
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.