Cognitive Vulnerabilities to Depression for Adolescents in Single-Mother and Two-Parent Families

Investigating the Differential Impact of Short- and Long-Term Informal Caregiving on Mental Health Across Adolescence: Data From the Tokyo Teen Cohort

PURPOSE

Young caregivers experience, on average, poorer mental health outcomes than non-caregiving young people. However, it is unknown to what extent these effects differ with age, or among short-term versus long-term caregivers. Using repeated assessment of young caregiving across multiple waves of a prospective adolescent cohort study, we conducted repeated cross-sectional analyses of caregiver status and contemporaneous depressive symptoms, self-harm, and suicidality in early to middle adolescence.

METHODS

Four waves of questionnaire data from a large, longitudinal population-based cohort study (Tokyo Teen Cohort) were analyzed. Caregiver status was collected from participants aged 10, 12, 14, and 16 years. Mental health outcomes assessed were depressive symptoms, self-harm and suicidal feelings. Logistic regression analyses were conducted assessing effects of a) young caregiver status and b) new, long-term, and ex-caregiver 2-year categorizations on mental health outcomes at 12, 14, and 16 years, both unadjusted and adjusted for potential confounders (sex, low income, single-parent household, and parental distress).

RESULTS

Depressive symptoms were elevated among long-term caregivers at 14 years (unadjusted odds ratio (uOR): 3.11 [1.33-7.27], adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.49 [1.03-5.99]). Borderline associations between long-term caregiving and self-harm (uOR: 3.14 [1.06-9.35], aOR: 2.51 [0.82-7.63]) and suicidal feelings (uOR: 2.49 [0.98-6.34], aOR: 2.06 [0.80-5.33]) were detected at 16 years. No associations were found at age 12 years in primary analyses; sensitivity analyses indicated possible increased depressive symptoms.

DISCUSSION

Young caregivers with long-term caregiving roles are at the greatest risk for negative mental health outcomes, with effects concentrated in later adolescence. These findings highlight urgent need for early identification and practical and psychological support for young people shouldering caregiving burdens.

Single parenthood and depression: A thorough review of current understanding

Background

Single parenthood is becoming increasingly common in today's society for various reasons such as divorce, the death of a spouse, or the choice of parenthood. Regrettably, there seems to be no significant concern among world leaders regarding depression arising from single parenting.

Aim

This article aimed to explore the prevalence of depression in single parents, the factors contributing to it, and its effects on their physical and emotional well-being. Additionally, it aims to investigate the long-lasting effects of depression in single parents, effective therapeutic approaches to tackle these issues and offer proactive suggestions for relevant global stakeholders.

Methodology

A selection of studies was identified through electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO databases. The search strategy encompassed terms related to single parenthood, depression, mental health, prevalence, risk factors, and treatment modalities. Included studies comprised of peer-reviewed research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and observational studies published in English.

Result

Today, there is a growing prevalence of single parenthood due to a range of factors, including divorce, the loss of a partner, and intentional decisions regarding single parenthood. However, this transition comes with challenges, including the risk of developing depression. Depression is a serious mental health condition affecting many individuals worldwide. Raising a child alone increases the likelihood of developing depression for the parent due to the increased burden and responsibilities. Such parents tend to have low self-esteem, suicide/suicide attempts, and so forth and children born by those parents are vulnerable to depression, physical abuse, infections, etc.

Conclusion

Future research should focus on identifying effective interventions for treating depression among single parents and improving the availability of mental health facilities for this vulnerable population, especially in places with a high prevalence of depression. Mental health physicians in collaboration with obstetricians and gynecologists across the globe should offer counseling and mediation services during pre-conception care visits for both single and partnered parents.

Family Income and Child Depression: The Chain Mediating Effect of Parental Involvement, Children's Self-Esteem, and Group Differences

Family income is an important factor that affects depression in children and can indirectly be associated with children's development through family and individual factors. However, few studies have examined the mechanism of multiple risk factors. Therefore, this study focused on the relationship between family income and child depression, as well as the chain mediating the roles of parental involvement and children's self-esteem both in single-parent families and intact families. A total of 1355 primary school students completed questionnaires that assessed family income, parental involvement, children's self-esteem, and depression. The results showed that family income influenced child depression through both the mediating roles of parental involvement and children's self-esteem and the chain mediating role of parental involvement and children's self-esteem. Meanwhile, family income only influenced child depression through chain mediation in single-parent families. The group differences in the mechanism of depression provide a reference for empirical research on depression intervention in children from different family structures.

Demographics and Clinical Characteristics Assessment of Severe Acute Toxic Ingestions in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Study in Jilin Province of China

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of severe acute toxic ingestions in children in Jilin Province and provide a reference for seeking effective measures to prevent poisoning accidents.

METHODS

The clinical data of patients diagnosed with acute toxic ingestions and who presented with severe life-threatening symptoms or organ dysfunction at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the First Hospital of Jilin University were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with incomplete clinical medical records, unclear toxic substance, and loss to follow-up within 6 months of discharge are excluded. We sorted out these children's demographic characteristics, types of poisoning, clinical manifestations, treatment process, and follow-up, etc.

RESULTS

This study enrolled 141 cases with no significant differences in sex and region; adolescents accounted for 44.68%. The most common poisons were pesticides and insecticides for rural areas and internal medication for urban areas. With poisoning details as a grouping variable, there was no statistical difference between sex groupings (χ2 = 6.018, P = 0.198) and no difference between region groups (χ2 = 3.775, P = 0.289). However, there were statistical differences between age groups (χ2 = 28.22, P = 0.001). In this research, patients younger than 6 years are mainly unintentionally poisoned, whereas the suicide rate of the urban group (P < 0.05), adolescents (P < 0.01), and girls (P < 0.01) has increased significantly; moreover, the suicide group is more likely to take more overdose medication or pesticides and insecticides (P < 0.01). In addition, there was a statistical difference between suicide and length of intensive care unit stay (r = 0.268, P < 0.01). A total of 90.78% of the patients were successfully discharged after comprehensive treatment. Children aged younger than 12 years had good psychological and intellectual development during the follow-up period, whereas adolescents diagnosed with depression often required long-term psychological and medication intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified poisoning details in different ages, regions, and sex of acute severe oral poisoning in children from Jilin Province. The results presentation of different prevention priorities should vary among children of different ages and emphasize adolescent suicide being a reality in Jilin Province. There is an urgent need for further culture-specific research in this area.

Influence of Parenting Guilt on the Mental Health among Single-Parent Women: Multiple Additive Moderating Effect of Economic Well-Being and Level of Education

This study explored how the core problems (e.g., parenting, economy, and education level) of single-parent women affect their mental health. Although parenting guilt, economic well-being, and level of education are important variables that affect the mental health of single parents, there is no study that examines the interaction effect between them together. Therefore, this study examined the moderating effects of economic well-being and level of education on the relationship between parenting guilt and mental health in 419 single-parent women. In addition, it was verified whether there was a multiple additive modulation effect when they were put in at the same time. As a result, the higher the parenting guilt and the lower the economic well-being, the higher the level of mental health pain, but the level of education had no statistical significance. However, the interaction term between parenting guilt and education level had statistical significance, while the interaction term between parenting guilt and economic well-being did not produce significant results. These findings suggest the importance of education for single-parent women's mental health as well as the need to establish policies that allow them to have sufficient time and room for child rearing.

Developmental differences in the impact of racial discrimination on depression and anxiety among Black youth: Examining rumination as a mechanism

Experiences of racial discrimination are pervasive among Black youth, resulting in psychosocial problems such as depression and anxiety. Rumination plays a key role in linking racial discrimination and internalizing concerns. Developmental age has also been shown to influence the extent to which racial discrimination and rumination impact mental health; however, studies have yet to explore the interplay between these factors. This study examined the association between racial discrimination and internalizing concerns among Black youth, whether racial discrimination was indirectly associated with internalizing concerns through rumination, and whether developmental age moderated these direct and indirect effects. Participants included 158 pre- and early-adolescent youth recruited from a community sample (Mage = 11.56 years; 53% female). Data were from baseline questionnaire responses from a larger longitudinal study conducted in the Southeastern United States examining the effects of interpersonal stressors on youth mental health outcomes. Racial discrimination was directly and indirectly associated with internalizing concerns through rumination. Developmental age moderated the indirect link between racial discrimination and depressive symptoms via rumination with the association being stronger as participant age increased. The impact of racial discrimination on mental health among Black youth is informed by maladaptive coping strategies such as rumination and developmental age. Such factors help to identify who is most at risk for the impact of racial discrimination and potential intervening targets. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Unpacking the linkages between single parent households and early adolescent adjustment

Living with an unmarried mother is consistently associated with adjustment issues in adolescence, but these associations can vary by both time and place. Following life course theory, this study applied inverse probability of treatment weighting techniques to data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1979) Children and Young Adults study (n = 5,597) to estimate various treatment effects of family structures through childhood and early adolescence on internalizing and externalizing dimensions of adjustment at age 14. Young people who lived with an unmarried (single or cohabiting) mother during early childhood and adolescence were more likely to drink and reported more depressive symptoms by age 14 than those with a married mother, with particularly strong associations between living with an unmarried mother during early adolescence and drinking. These associations, however, varied according to sociodemographic selection into family structures. They were strongest for youth who more closely resembled the average adolescent living with a married mother.

[A comparison of perceived maternal love and parentification in children of single-mothers and two-parent families]

Objectives: About 20 % of children in Germany grow up with a single mother - this is often associated with multiple strain for the mothers and may have adverse effects on the child-parent relationship. Methods: In two retrospective internet surveys (wave 1 born in 1960s, wave 2 born in 1990s) perceived maternal love and role reversal were assessed in children of single mothers and children grown up in two parent families. Results: In both waves high values of maternal love were reported. For children raised by single mothers, strong effects for age and occupational status were observed. Contrary to literature, no gender specific effects on role reversal were observed in this sample. Discussion: High occupational strain in a single mother was associated with less perceived love in the child.Multiple strain in singlemothers should findmore social and political attention. Regarding role reversal support should address daughters and sons similarly.

Examining family processes linked to adolescent problem behaviors in single-mother families: The moderating role of school connectedness

Objective

Previous research has shown that adolescents in single-mother households are at heightened risk for adjustment problems. However, limited studies have investigated the mechanisms leading to adolescent problem behaviors in single-mother households. To address this research gap, this study applied the Family Stress Model to examine how single mothers’ material hardship is linked to adolescent problem behaviors, focusing on the mediating roles of mothers’ depression and mother-adolescent closeness. The moderating role of adolescent school connectedness in the relationships between mother-adolescent closeness and school connectedness and between mothers’ depression and school connectedness was also investigated.

Materials and methods

The study analyzed data from 1,384 adolescents and their single mothers who participated in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study at Wave 6. The associations between study variables were analyzed using structural equation modeling by decomposing the direct, indirect, and total effects of material hardship on adolescent problem behaviors. School connectedness’s interactions with mother-adolescent closeness and mothers’ depression were also examined.

Results

Results showed a significant indirect relationship between material hardship and adolescent problem behaviors through sequential mediation of mothers’ depression and mother-adolescent closeness. Mothers’ depression also significantly mediated the relationship between material hardship and problem behaviors. Lastly, school connectedness moderated the relationship between mother-adolescent closeness and adolescents’ internalizing behaviors. The association between mother-adolescent closeness and adolescents’ internalizing behavior was weaker for adolescents with higher levels of school connectedness.

Conclusion

The results indicate the important indirect effect of economic strain on adolescents’ problems behaviors in single-mother households, which has been less emphasized compared to the effects in earlier childhood. High rates of material hardship and adolescent problem behaviors in single-mother families call for multifaceted interventions focusing on family processes and protective factors, including school environment.

Time trends in treated incidence, sociodemographic risk factors and comorbidities: a Finnish nationwide study on anxiety disorders

BACKGROUND

There has been a lack of research about the time trends and socio-demographic risk factors for children and adolescents who receive treatment for anxiety disorders. This study aimed to fill these gaps in our knowledge by examining a nationwide sample of Finnish children and adolescents diagnosed in specialized healthcare settings.

METHODS

This study comprised national register data of all singleton children born in Finland from 1992-2006 who were diagnosed with anxiety disorders from 1998-2012. The changes in time trends in incidence were studied by dividing the study sample into three cohorts by birth years: 1992-1996, 1997-2001 and 2002-2006, who were followed up until the age of 20, 15 and 10 years, respectively. The 22,388 individuals with anxiety disorders were age and gender matched with 76,139 controls from the general population. Logistic regression was used to examine the socio-demographic risk factors and anxiety disorders in the entire sample. Comorbid disorders were examined in the oldest birth cohort (1992-1996 born).

RESULTS

Comparing the 1992-1996 and 2002-2006 cohorts showed that the cumulative incidence of treated anxiety disorders at the age of 10 increased from 0.3 to 1.2% among females and 0.46 to 1.9% among males. Subjects had higher likelihood for being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder if their mothers had low maternal socio-economic status class at birth (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.45-1.61) compared to higher SES class, and marital status was single at the time of birth (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.87-2.17) compared to married or in a relationship. They had lower risk of anxiety disorders diagnosis if born in rural (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.79-0.86) or semi-urban areas (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.76-0.82) when compared to urban residence. There was a wide range of psychiatric comorbidities, and unipolar depression was the most common (31.2%).

CONCLUSION

Anxiety disorders diagnosed by specialized Finnish services increased from 1998-2012 in both genders. This could indicate a real increase in overall anxiety disorders or an increase in treatment seeking. The findings on maternal socioeconomic status and single parenting improve the recognition of the environmental risk factors for anxiety disorders among children and adolescents.

Familial Risk Factors in Relation to Recurrent Depression Among Former Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients

Treating recurrent depression is a challenge for clinical practitioners. We investigated which family environmental factors contribute to differences between recurrent and non-recurrent depression by the young adulthood of the former adolescent inpatients. The initial sample covered 237 adolescent psychiatric inpatients with depression, of which 35.4% had later diagnosed with recurrent depression. Recurrence in depression was associated to distant maternal relationships in both male (p = 0.022) and female patients (p = 0.042). In females, the likelihood for recurrent depression was also related to psychiatric problems of the father (p = 0.013) and siblings (OR = 3.7, p = 0.032), and having a grand multiparous mother (p = 0.005). Our results emphasise the need for effective family-centred approaches in treatment of adolescents with depression.

Association of depression and suicidal ideation with parenting style in adolescents

OBJECTIVES

To study the association of depression and suicidal ideation with parenting style in adolescents.

METHODS

The cluster sampling method was used to select 6 195 junior and senior high school students in Xinxiang City of Henan Province, China, from 2014 to 2018. The survey tools included a general social information questionnaire, the Parental Bonding Instrument, and the Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (11 items). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association of depression and suicidal ideation with parenting style in adolescents.

RESULTS

There were 6 194 valid questionnaires in total, including 2 586 boys (41.75%) and 3 608 girls (58.25%), with a mean age of (16.4±1.9) years (range: 11-20 years). Among these 6 194 students, 1 333 (21.52%) had depression, and 508 (8.20%) had suicidal ideation. Depression in adolescents was positively correlated with maternal control (OR=1.059, P<0.001) and paternal control (OR=1.061, P<0.001), but negatively correlated with maternal care (OR=0.937, P<0.001) and paternal care (OR=0.917, P<0.001). Suicide ideation in adolescents was positively correlated with maternal control (OR=1.110, P<0.001) and paternal control (OR=1.076, P<0.001), but negatively correlated with maternal care (OR=0.895, P<0.001) and paternal care (OR=0.914, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Parental care may decrease the risk of depression and suicide ideation, while parental control may increase the risk of depression and suicide ideation in adolescents. Citation.

Dispositional Mindfulness Profiles in Adolescents and their Associations with Psychological Functioning and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Hormones

Adolescence is often accompanied by an increase in stress and depression. Although there is considerable consensus about the benefits of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce these problems, the results for the role of dispositional mindfulness facets have been mixed. Recent studies have contributed to clarifying this role by identifying subtypes of individuals according to their profiles in mindfulness facets and examining the functioning of these profiles in relation to several self-reported indicators of wellbeing and health. The current study extends previous research by exploring mindfulness profiles in adolescents and by providing several sources of indicators (self-reports, parent-reports, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones) to examine the adaptive role of these profiles. A sample of 571 adolescents (50.61% girls; 12-17 years old) completed measures of mindfulness, depression, maladaptive schemas, and temperament (neuroticism, extraversion, and effortful control), and provided salivary samples for cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. In addition, 331 adolescents' parents completed measures of their children' temperaments. The results of latent profile analyses supported a three-profile solution: (1) moderate mindfulness (65.5%), (2) judgmental observing (24.2%), and (3) nonjudgmentally aware (10.3%). The judgmental observing profile was associated with a worse adjustment, indicated by higher depressive symptoms, maladaptive schemas, perceived stress, stress-associated hormones, and neuroticism, as well as lower scores on extroversion and effortful control. This profile was more frequent among the oldest adolescents. In contrast, the nonjudgmentally aware group presented a better adjustment and was more frequent among the youngest adolescents. These findings have implications for preventive interventions. Analyzing the specific profile of each adolescent can help improve individual intervention, taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of each adolescent.

Being Bullied Is Associated With Depression Among Malaysian Adolescents: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Study in Malaysia

Limited evidence on the association of being bullied with depression among adolescents was found in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the association of being bullied and depression among Malaysian school-going adolescents. Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2017, a cross-sectional study conducted from March to May 2017, was analyzed using descriptive and multiple logistic regression analysis. A validated tool, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 was used to categorize those with moderate or higher levels of depressive symptoms as having depression. A total of 27 399 school-going adolescents participated and 18.3% were found depressed. Adolescents of Indian ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.02, P < .001), those with parents living apart (aOR = 1.41, P < .001), and those who were being bullied (aOR = 2.98, P < .001) were more likely to have depression. This study demonstrated the association between being bullied and having depression. Comprehensive preventive strategies should be implemented taking into consideration the findings from this study.

Mental health in young mothers, single mothers and their children

BACKGROUND

Parenthood is a life transition that can be especially demanding for vulnerable individuals. Young maternal age and maternal single status have been reported to increase the risk for adverse outcomes for both mother and child. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of young maternal age and maternal single status on maternal and child mental health and child development at age 3.

METHODS

A birth-cohort of 1723 mothers and their children were followed from birth to age 3. Sixty-one mothers (3.5%) were age 20 or younger, and 65 (4.0%) reported single status at childbirth. The mothers filled out standardized instruments and medical information was retrieved from the standardized clinical assessment of the children at Child Welfare Centers, (CWC).

RESULTS

Young maternal age was associated with symptoms of postpartum depression whereas single status was not. Young mothers were more prone to report internalizing and externalizing problems in their children, while there was no association between single status and child behavioral problems. No differences were seen on child development (CWC scores). School drop-out was, however, a more influential factor on depressive symptoms postpartum than maternal age.

CONCLUSION

Young mothers are at increased risk for symptoms of postpartum depression which indicates the need for attention in pre- and postnatal health care programs. Single mothers and their children were not found to be at increased risk for adverse outcomes. The importance of schooling was demonstrated, indicating the need for societal support to encourage adolescents to remain in school.