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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Jennifer Hatcher, RN, PhD, Lynne Hall, RN, DrPh, Ann Peden, DSN, ARNP-CS, and Mary Kay Rayens, PhD. College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, 760 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, 859 257-0008, jhscot2@uky.edu

Purpose: To test a model of predictors of depression in low-income single African American mothers. Design: Secondary analysis of existing data collected as part of a study of women at risk for clinical depression. Methods: Cross sectional study of secondary 2000-2002 data for low-income African American single mothers with children ages 2-6. Path analysis used to test a model of the potential mediating role of negative thinking. It was hypothesized that negative thinking mediates the effects of chronic stressors, general health status, and self-esteem on depressive symptoms Finding: Negative thinking mediated the relationships of chronic stressors and self-esteem with depressive symptoms. Conclusions: These findings supported the proposed model with one exception: negative thinking did not mediate the effects of physical health on depressive symptoms. Physical health also had no direct effect on depressive symptoms. Negative thinking may play a pivotal role in the development of depression for these at risk women. Self-esteem, chronic stressors and negative thinking should be important considerations in designing interventions to improve the mental health of at risk African American women. Key words: self-esteem, negative thinking, depression, African American women

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the learner in this session will be able to

• Identify and discuss the economic, physical and societal factors that place African American single mothers at increased risk for disparate rates of poor mental health.
• Recognize the importance of negative thinking as a predictor of depressive symptoms in African American women.
• Identify future research opportunities that will improve the mental health of African American women.

Keywords: African American, Depression

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation