Predictors of Depression for Low-Income African American Single Mothers

Authors

Jennifer Hatcher, University of Kentucky
Mary K. Rayens, University of Kentucky
Ann R. Peden, University of Kentucky
Lynne A. Hall, University of Kentucky

Keywords

African American women; Depression; Depression in women; Low-income single mothers; Negative thinking; Poor; Self-esteem

Disciplines

Community-Based Research | Demography, Population, and Ecology | Gender and Sexuality | Inequality and Stratification | Mental Disorders | Public Health | Race and Ethnicity

Abstract

Purpose: To test a model of predictors of depression in low-income single African American mothers. Design: Secondary analysis of existing data collected as part of a study of women at risk for clinical depression.

Methods: Cross sectional secondary data analysis of a study of low-income African American single mothers with children ages 2-6. Path analysis was used to test a model of the potential mediating role of negative thinking. It was hypothesized that negative thinking mediates the effects of chronic stressors, general health status, and self-esteem on depressive symptoms

Finding: Negative thinking mediated the relationships of chronic stressors and self-esteem with depressive symptoms. Conclusions: These findings supported the proposed model with one exception: negative thinking did not mediate the effects of physical health on depressive symptoms. Physical health also had no direct effect on depressive symptoms. Negative thinking may play a pivotal role in the development of depression for these at risk women. Self-esteem, chronic stressors and negative thinking should be important considerations in designing interventions to improve the mental health of at-risk African American women.

Recommended Citation

Hatcher, Jennifer; Rayens, Mary K.; Peden, Ann R.; and Hall, Lynne A. (2008) "Predictors of Depression for Low-Income African American Single Mothers," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 2: Iss. 3, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol2/iss3/6