Stability of maternal depressive symptoms among urban, low-income, African American adolescent mothers

Ramos-Marcuse, Fatima; Oberlander, Sarah E.; Papas, Mia A.; McNary, Scot W.; Hurley, Kristen M.; Black, Maureen M.

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2009.06.018

« Previous Next »Journal of Affective Disorders
Volume 122, Issue 1 , Pages 68-75, April 2010

Stability of maternal depressive symptoms among urban, low-income, African American adolescent mothers

Fatima Ramos-Marcuse
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, United States
Sarah E. Oberlander
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, United States
Mia A. Papas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, United States
Scot W. McNary
- Department of Educational Technology and Literacy, Towson University, United States
Kristen M. Hurley
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, United States
Maureen M. Black
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, United States
- Corresponding author. Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 737W. Lombard Street, Room 161, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States. Tel.: + 1 410 706 2136; fax: + 1 410 706 5090.

Received 8 April 2009; received in revised form 5 June 2009; accepted 15 June 2009.

Abstract

Background

Maternal depressive symptomatology is an important public health issue with negative consequences for both mothers and infants.

Methods

This study examined prevalence and patterns of depressive symptoms among 181 urban, low-income, first-time, African American adolescent mothers recruited from urban hospitals following delivery. Follow-up evaluations were conducted at 6 (N=148; 82%) and 24 (N=147; 81%) month home visits. Depressive symptoms were measured with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results

Half of mothers (49%) had BDI scores >9 at baseline, with significant correlations between BDI scores across all visits (r=0.28–0.50). Depressive symptom trajectories analyzed using group-based trajectory modeling revealed three trajectories of depressive symptoms: Low (41%), Medium (45%), and High (14%). The high depressive symptom group reported lower self-esteem, more negative life events, and lower parenting satisfaction than the low and moderate depressive symptoms groups.

Limitations

Depressive symptoms were self-reported and not verified with a clinical interview. Findings are limited to urban, low-income, African American adolescent mothers and may not be generalizable to other populations.

Conclusions

The high prevalence and relative stability of depressive symptoms through 2years of parenting suggest the need for early identification and treatment of maternal depressive symptoms. Brief screening for maternal depressive symptoms conducted during pediatric well-child visits is a feasible and effective method for identifying mothers with depressive symptoms, however, screening measures can not differentiate between high and low levels of depressive symptoms. Brief intervention may be an effective treatment for mothers with mild symptoms of depression; mothers with moderate to severe symptoms may require more intensive intervention.

Keywords: Postpartum depression, Adolescent mother, African American, Depressive symptoms