Life events, chronic stressors, and depressive symptoms in low-income Urban mothers with asthmatic children: Populations at risk across the lifespan: Population studies

Joan Kub, Jacky M. Jennings, Michele Donithan, Jennifer M. Walker, Cassia Lewis Land, Arlene Butz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: This secondary data analysis study examines the relationship between maternal sociodemographic variables, life events, chronic stressors, including asthma control and management and environmental stressors, and maternal depression. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive design study consisting of baseline data from participants enrolled in a randomized asthma communication educational intervention trial. Sample: 201 mothers of children with asthma (ages 6-12), recruited from community pediatric practices and emergency departments of 2 urban university hospitals. Measurement: Life events were measured using standardized items. Chronic stressors were measured using items from the International Asthma and Allergies in Childhood study and maternal and child exposure to violence. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale. Results: Close to 25% of the mothers had high depressive symptoms. In separate multiple logistic regression models, education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.07, 6.39) or unemployment (AOR=2.38; 95% CI=1.16, 4.90) and the use of quick relief medications (AOR=2.74; 95% CI=1.33, 5.66) for asthma were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Implications include the need to assess maternal depressive symptoms of mothers of children with asthma, in order to improve asthma management for low-income urban children.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)297-306
Number of pages10
JournalPublic Health Nursing
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

Keywords

  • Asthma
  • Chronic illness
  • Depression
  • Mothers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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