Children's asthma, community stressors, and caregiver depression

INTRODUCTION: Previous research suggests that mothers of children with asthma are at greater risk for symptoms of depression. The goal of this study was to examine the relationships of asthma control in children, community stressors, and demographic variables to depression in a sample of 231 caregivers of children with asthma, most being inner city low income mothers. Methods: 231 caregivers of children with persistent asthma in an ongoing trial were interviewed regarding depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Score, demographic factors (education, income, employment), community stressors and perception of child's asthma control. Asthma out of control was defined as symptoms at some/a lot or always. Community stressors included self-reports of feeling unsafe, seeing violence personally or reporting that their child saw violence. RESULTS: Children were primarily African American (92.6%), male (60.6%) and Medicaid insured (83%). Most parents reported that their child's asthma was under control (73.59%). 25.65% of the caregivers had scores of 16 or greater on the CESD. Factors associated with scores indicating caregiver depressive symptoms included all three community stressors and lower education (less that high school degree) and unemployment. Reporting child's asthma out of control was not related to depression. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic factors (education, employment status) and community stressors were all related to depressive symptoms. Asthma control was not related to caregiver mental health. PHN strategies are needed to address contextual and demographic variables in the lives of caregivers of inner city children with asthma.