Loading...
Maternal mental health significantly affects children’s health and development. In an analysis of cross-sectional U.S. data from the 2000 National Survey of Early Childhood Health (a telephone survey), the authors investigated the relation between parenting-related stressors and maternal mental health. A validated Mental Health Inventory was used; scores below the 20th percentile were categorized as reflecting poor mental health. Stressors included emotional and functional support, time with child, and financial factors (paying for prenatal care or birth, child’s medical expenses, food, clothing, and child care), and child healthcare availability.
Approximately 1700 English- or Spanish-speaking mothers completed the survey; 63% of the women …