Using family history and health risk behaviors to determine predictors of depressive symptoms in C entral A merican immigrant mothers

• Published in: Nursing & health sciences Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 220 - 228
• Main Authors: Maradiegue, Ann H., Lyon, Debra E., Meyers, Melanie F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2013
• ISSN: 1441-0745; 1442-2018
• DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12023

Abstract In this study, depressive symptomatology in C entral A merican immigrant mothers with adolescent daughters living in the USA was explored. Using the C enter for E pidemiologic S tudies D epression S hort S cale, the F amily H istory S cale, an A cculturation S cale, and the core section of the Y outh C onduct D isorder scale from the N ational H ealth and N utrition E xamination S urvey, 101 C entral A merican mothers were analyzed to identify predictors of depressive symptoms. Over one‐third of the participants had depressive symptoms. There were no significant findings for acculturation as a predictor of depressive symptoms. Predictors that related to depressive symptomatology were a positive family history of depression, marital status (divorced), and having a daughter engaged in health risk behaviors. Clinicians working with mothers from C entral A merica should consider risk of depression, whether there is a family history of depression; and additional stresses, such as the health risk behaviors of adolescents. Unprecedented levels of immigration around the world underscore the importance of meeting the healthcare needs of culturally‐diverse groups.