Do Depressive Symptoms and Resources Influence the Use of Safe Parenting Practices by First Time Moms?

Maternal depressive symptoms have been associated with deficits in parenting practices that protect children from injuries. Using data from a multi-site longitudinal study of 682 first-time mothers, we examined how maternal depressive symptoms are related to the use of maternal safety practices at five time points over the course of 3 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II (minimal/mild depressive symptoms vs. moderate/severe symptoms). Measures of maternal depression and use of safety practices (use of car seat, smoke detectors, smoking, alcohol use) were collected at multiple time points (prenatally, 6, 12, 24, 36 months). The study sample included adolescent (58%), low resource adult (24%), and high resource adult mothers (18%). The majority of mothers were African American (65%); 19% Caucasian; 14% Hispanic/Latina; and 3% identified as “other” ethnicities. We hypothesized that first-time mothers who have more severe and chronic levels of depression and the lowest levels of resources (financial and emotional) will have poorer safety practices. Using χ2 tests for categorical outcome variables, depression status and mom group were used to predict safety practices at concurrent time points. During all 4 time points assessed (6, 12, 24, 36 months), the majority of all mom groups reported owning a car seat. However, adolescent moms were consistently less likely to properly secure their child during each car ride. More detailed discussion of the results will be presented for each safety practice and the trends over the 3 year study period. Implications for public health intervention will be discussed.