Factors Influencing Maternal Depression in Low-Income Families with Young Children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing maternal depression in low-income families with young children. METHODS: The study consisted of 376 mothers in low-income families from participants enrolled in the population-based study of 2011 PSKC by Korea Institute of Child Care and Education. The factors including depression, self-esteem, parenting stress, marital conflict, father involvement in child rearing, social support, and family life event were assessed with questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted by description analysis, partial correlation, and hierarchical regression using SPSS 22.0 program. RESULTS: The results showed that 10.6% of mothers were in severe depressive group in this study. Also the result revealed that marital conflict was the strongest predictor of maternal depression. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that mothers with young children in low-income families especially had difficulty with depression due to family related factors. Implications included the need to support mothers and develop intervention programs focusing on family relationships in order to improve and sustain mental health.