Cynthia Schaffer Minkovitz MD, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University Population and Family Health Sciences, 615 N. Wolfe Street RM #E4636 Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2103 cminkovi@jhsph.edu
Abstract
Maternal depressive symptoms are prevalent in families with young children and negatively affect child health and development, maternal well-being, and family functioning. Adverse influences of maternal depressive symptoms on maternal parenting practices are known. Little is known about whether father involvement influences this relation. The objectives of the proposed study are: 1) To determine whether father's characteristics and father involvement are associated with maternal parenting practices and children's well-being at 9 months and 2 years; 2) To determine whether father involvement influences the relation of maternal depressive symptoms with maternal parenting practices and children's well-being at 9 months; and 3) To determine whether father involvement influences the relation of maternal depression with maternal parenting practices and children's well-being at 2 years.
The project analyzes data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-B). Data sources include parent interviews, self administered questionnaires of mothers and fathers (resident and non-resident), and direct observations of children at 9 months and 2 years. Data include: maternal experience of depressive symptoms; maternal parenting practices that promote child development; types and levels of father's involvement and children's well-being; and maternal, father and family characteristics. Data will be analyzed using logistic and linear regression models to generate overall estimates of relations of father involvement with maternal parenting practices and children's well-being. Conditioned on sociodemographic and family covariates and design weighting, the moderating effects of father involvement on relations between maternal depressive symptoms and maternal parenting practices and children's well being also will be examined. Findings from the study have important implications for interventions to promote family health in early childhood and address MCHB Strategic Issue IV - Promoting Healthy Development of MCH populations.
