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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-01-2016 | Original Paper

Child mental health and maternal depression history in Pakistan

Authors: Joanna Maselko, Siham Sikander, Omer Bangash, Sonia Bhalotra, Lauren Franz, Nima Ganga, Divya Guru Rajan, Karen O’Donnell, Atif Rahman

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Purpose

We address the significant gaps in knowledge of prevalence and correlates of child mental health (CMH) problems outside of high income countries. We describe the prevalence of CMH problems and their correlates with a focus on the association with maternal depression in a sample of seven-year-old children in rural Pakistan.

Methods

This study was nested in a long-term follow-up of a perinatal depression intervention together with a reference group of non-depressed women, yielding a population representative sample. The Total Difficulties (TD) and component scores of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used to measure emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Results

The mean SDQ TD score was 10.6 (standard deviation = 8.3), with 12.5 % of children categorized as “abnormal” using standard cutoffs. Boys had a roughly 1 point higher (worse) SDQ TD score than girls (p value = 0.04). Children of mothers who were depressed prenatally as well as currently had SDQ TD scores 2.87 points higher than children whose mothers were not depressed at either time point (p value < 0.01). This association was stronger for boys. There was no evidence of elevated SDQ TD score among children whose mothers were depressed only prenatally or only currently. Some deviations from this pattern were observed with specific components of the SDQ.

Conclusions

In this low resource, South Asian setting, we found evidence of elevated levels of emotional and behavioral problems, highlighting the need for effective interventions. Given the strong association of CMH with maternal depression, any intervention efforts should give strong consideration to maternal mental health.

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Title: Child mental health and maternal depression history in Pakistan
Authors: Joanna Maselko
Siham Sikander
Omer Bangash
Sonia Bhalotra
Lauren Franz
Nima Ganga
Divya Guru Rajan
Karen O’Donnell
Atif Rahman
Publication date: 01-01-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-015-1143-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Child mental health and maternal depression history in Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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