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The influence of stress and social support on depressive symptoms in mothers with young children

Author

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  • Manuel, Jennifer I.
  • Martinson, Melissa L.
  • Bledsoe-Mansori, Sarah E.
  • Bellamy, Jennifer L.

Abstract

Limited research has examined the associations of stress, social support, and depression among mothers with young children over time. Longitudinal studies are needed to identify risk and protective factors for maternal depression given that depression can be cyclical and may affect women through the early years of their children’s development. This study examined the relationships among stress, social support, and depressive symptoms in a national sample of low-income urban American women with young children. A secondary data analysis of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a national longitudinal panel study of nearly 5000 births across 20 cities with populations of 200,000 or more in the United States, was conducted. The analytic sample included all mothers (N = 3675) who completed assessments at baseline through year 5 of the study between 1998 and 2005. Multivariate models using generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the probability of being depressed as a function of stress-related risk factors, social support factors, and sociodemographic variables. The rate of depression each year ranged from 15% to 21%. The results suggest that stress related to economic hardship, parenting, and poor physical health increases the risk of depression among low-income urban mothers with young children. Instrumental and partner support were found to be potential protective factors in reducing the negative effects of stress, but only to a certain degree. Future efforts are needed to strengthen social support and mitigate chronic stressors that contribute to mental health problems in low-income communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuel, Jennifer I. & Martinson, Melissa L. & Bledsoe-Mansori, Sarah E. & Bellamy, Jennifer L., 2012. "The influence of stress and social support on depressive symptoms in mothers with young children," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(11), pages 2013-2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:75:y:2012:i:11:p:2013-2020
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.07.034
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    3. Schreier, Alayna & Stenersen, Madeline R. & Strambler, Michael J. & Marshall, Tim & Bracey, Jeana & Kaufman, Joy S., 2023. "Needs of caregivers of youth enrolled in a statewide system of care: A latent class analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    4. Mary M Tallon & Garth E Kendall & Paul D Snider, 2015. "Rethinking family‐centred care for the child and family in hospital," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(9-10), pages 1426-1435, May.
    5. Keshia Reid & Miles Taylor, 2015. "Stress and Maternal Postpartum Depression: The Importance of Stress Type and Timing," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 34(6), pages 851-875, December.
    6. Jewel Gausman & S Bryn Austin & S V Subramanian & Ana Langer, 2020. "Adversity, social capital, and mental distress among mothers of small children: A cross-sectional study in three low and middle-income countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, January.
    7. Li, Fanlue & He, Ke & Wang, Yuejie & Zhang, Junbiao, 2021. "Does Indoor Air Pollution from Solid Fuels Influence the Mental Health of Rural Residents? Evidence from China," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315024, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    8. Zhang, Saijun & Lim, Younghee & Boyas, Javier F. & Burlaka, Viktor, 2020. "Family structure and youth illicit drug use, use disorder, and treatment services utilization," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    9. Suyeon Jo & Soowon Park & Jung Hae Youn & Bo Kyung Sohn & Hyo Jung Choi & Ji Yeon Lee & Jin Yong Lee & Jun-Young Lee, 2018. "The Mental Health Status and Intellectual Ability of Unwed Mothers Dwelling in Korean Shelter Homes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, March.
    10. Ashley Hagaman & John A Gallis & Sonia Bhalotra & Victoria Baranov & Elizabeth L Turner & Siham Sikander & Joanna Maselko, 2019. "Psychosocial determinants of sustained maternal functional impairment: Longitudinal findings from a pregnancy-birth cohort study in rural Pakistan," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(11), pages 1-13, November.
    11. Zhang, Chi & Managi, Shunsuke, 2020. "Functional social support and maternal stress: A study on the 2017 paid parental leave reform in Japan," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 153-172.

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