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MATERNAL DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, CHILD BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES, AND EFFECTS OF PARTNER INVOLVEMENT AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN A SAMPLE OF LATINA ADOLESCENT MOTHERS AND THEIR TODDLERS

Weller, Erin N.

Abstract Details

2009, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
Though previous research on European American and mixed samples of adult mothers indicates that maternal depression relates to higher levels of behavior problems in children, research on Latina adolescent mothers has been scarce. The current study aimed to add to the literature by assessing the relation between maternal depressive symptoms and child internalizing and externalizing problems in a sample of adolescent Latina mothers and their 18-month-old children. Furthermore, romantic partners of young Latina mothers have been identified in the literature as an important source of support, and some studies and theories indicate that they may also play an important role in the lives of the children of these mothers. Thus, an additional goal of the study was to investigate the potential direct and indirect effects of partner social support and child care on maternal depressive symptomatology and child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. 135 participants and their target children residing in a large Midwestern city were recruited to participate in the study. Data were collected at a home visit conducted by two female researchers via observation, computer-aided questionnaires, and paper questionnaires. Results of analyses supported the hypothesis that maternal depressive symptoms significantly relate to both child internalizing and child externalizing in this sample. Moreover, results indicate that partner social support directly relates to maternal depressive symptoms. Results did not support the hypothesis that partner child care would directly relate to child outcomes. Support for the indirect effect of partner social support on child internalizing through maternal depression was found. Lastly, results provided evidence of the buffering effect of partner child care such that maternal depressive symptoms were related less strongly to child internalizing problems at higher levels of partner child care than at lower levels of partner child care.
Josefina M. Grau, PhD (Advisor)
Manfred H.M. van Dulmen, PhD (Committee Member)
Jeffrey A. Ciesla, PhD (Committee Member)
Karla Anhalt, PhD (Committee Member)

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Weller, E. N. (2009). MATERNAL DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, CHILD BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES, AND EFFECTS OF PARTNER INVOLVEMENT AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN A SAMPLE OF LATINA ADOLESCENT MOTHERS AND THEIR TODDLERS [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1257360647

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Weller, Erin. MATERNAL DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, CHILD BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES, AND EFFECTS OF PARTNER INVOLVEMENT AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN A SAMPLE OF LATINA ADOLESCENT MOTHERS AND THEIR TODDLERS. 2009. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1257360647.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Weller, Erin. "MATERNAL DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, CHILD BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES, AND EFFECTS OF PARTNER INVOLVEMENT AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN A SAMPLE OF LATINA ADOLESCENT MOTHERS AND THEIR TODDLERS." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1257360647

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)