TY - JOUR
T1 - Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Caregivers of Children With Poorly Controlled Asthma Is the Neighborhood Context Important?
AU - Kub, Joan E.
AU - DePriest, Kelli N.
AU - Bellin, Melissa H.
AU - Butz, Arlene
AU - Lewis-Land, Cassie
AU - Morphew, Tricia
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2022/1/1
Y1 - 2022/1/1
N2 - Children residing in low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by asthma morbidity and mortality. Neighborhood violence has been explored in relationship to child morbidity and health and developmental outcomes, but less is known about the relationship of violence to caregiver mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of neighborhood violent crime victimization (objective and subjective measures), perceptions of community well-being and support, and depressive symptoms among a sample of primarily single female caregivers of children with uncontrolled asthma. This is a secondary analysis of baseline data obtained from a randomized controlled trial of a home-based environmental control intervention for children aged 3 to 12 years, who were primarily African American, and diagnosed with persistent, uncontrolled asthma. Results showed that both objective and subjective measures of crime, particularly in those with relatively low life stress (P <.001), limited education of the caregiver (P <.001), and fewer children (P <.01) in the household had direct associations with depressive symptoms in caregivers of children with uncontrolled asthma. Neighborhood perceptions of satisfaction and a sense of community, as well as perceptions of social support, were not associated with depressive symptoms. Our findings emphasize the need to screen for depressive symptoms, life stress, as well as both objective and subjective perceptions of neighborhood violence among caregivers of children with poorly controlled asthma. Furthermore, when providing holistic care to these caregivers, stress reduction and the provision of mental health resources are paramount.
AB - Children residing in low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by asthma morbidity and mortality. Neighborhood violence has been explored in relationship to child morbidity and health and developmental outcomes, but less is known about the relationship of violence to caregiver mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of neighborhood violent crime victimization (objective and subjective measures), perceptions of community well-being and support, and depressive symptoms among a sample of primarily single female caregivers of children with uncontrolled asthma. This is a secondary analysis of baseline data obtained from a randomized controlled trial of a home-based environmental control intervention for children aged 3 to 12 years, who were primarily African American, and diagnosed with persistent, uncontrolled asthma. Results showed that both objective and subjective measures of crime, particularly in those with relatively low life stress (P <.001), limited education of the caregiver (P <.001), and fewer children (P <.01) in the household had direct associations with depressive symptoms in caregivers of children with uncontrolled asthma. Neighborhood perceptions of satisfaction and a sense of community, as well as perceptions of social support, were not associated with depressive symptoms. Our findings emphasize the need to screen for depressive symptoms, life stress, as well as both objective and subjective perceptions of neighborhood violence among caregivers of children with poorly controlled asthma. Furthermore, when providing holistic care to these caregivers, stress reduction and the provision of mental health resources are paramount.
KW - Asthma
KW - Caregiver psychological distress
KW - Children
KW - Neighborhood perceptions
KW - Neighborhood violence
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U2 - 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000313
DO - 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000313
M3 - Article
C2 - 34783687
AN - SCOPUS:85121960816
SN - 0160-6379
VL - 45
SP - 10
EP - 22
JO - Family and Community Health
JF - Family and Community Health
IS - 1
ER -