Depression risk : an examination of rural low income mothers

Graduation date: 2003This study used a multi-method approach to explore factors associated with\ud high and low depression in a sample of rural mothers living in poverty. From a\ud sample of 117 women with very high or very low CES-D depression scores, 40\ud cases were randomly selected for in-depth qualitative analysis. Qualitative\ud comments about a variety of issues were explored including health, mental health,\ud childcare, transportation, community, social support, and family of origin\ud experiences. Quantitative data were then used in response to themes that emerged\ud from the literature and the qualitative findings. All 117 eligible participants were\ud used for quantitative analysis to increase power.\ud Analysis of the qualitative data revealed several critical differences\ud between the two groups. Low risk participants mentioned fewer health issues and\ud less severe health problems as compared to their high risk counterparts. Mental\ud health issues were reported more in the high risk group, with this group being\ud more likely to have multiple family members experiencing symptoms. All\ud participants reported receiving social support, however, the low risk group\ud reported positive social support experiences, while the high risk group reported\ud ambivalent relationships with the people who provided them with social support.\ud Reported family of origin experiences were quite different between the two\ud groups, with the low risk group reporting more positive past and current\ud relationships.\ud Quantitatively, several interesting results were revealed, many confirming\ud the qualitative findings. Mothers showing higher levels of depression reported\ud significantly more health problems for themselves, their partners, and their\ud children. Additionally, participant's work status, income, perceived adequacy of\ud income, childhood welfare use, and presence of partner were significantly related\ud to depression. Low risk respondents were more likely to be working, perceive\ud their income as adequate, and have a partner. They were also less likely to have\ud received welfare as a child and had higher incomes.\ud The findings offer important implications for future research and policy.\ud Risk for depression seems to be related to a variety of factors, indicating that\ud something should be done to minimize an individual's likelihood toward\ud experiencing depression. This study ultimately provided a clearer picture of the\ud existence of depressive symptoms among women with children living in rural\ud poverty