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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Affective Disorder | Research article

Association between parental visitation and depressive symptoms among institutionalized children in Japan: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Aki Yazawa, Saeko Takada, Hanako Suzuki, Takashi X. Fujisawa, Akemi Tomoda

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Mental health problems are an important issue among institutionalized children. Although positive communication with parents is essential for children’s well-being, it has not been sufficiently verified how interactions with parents affect mental health among institutionalized children, who have experienced childhood adversity and likely lack secure attachment formation with their parents. The objectives of this study were to investigate the association between parental visitation and depressive symptoms among institutionalized children in Japan, and to explore whether the established security of attachment interacts with that association.

Methods

A cross-sectional data from 399 institutionalized children aged 9 to 18 in Japan was used for the analysis. A mixed effects regression analysis was conducted to investigate the associations.

Results

Institutionalized children who had parental visitation showed higher depressive symptoms than those who did not. In particular, father’s visitations were significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms. There was a significant interaction with score of secure attachment; children with low scores on secure attachment showed higher levels of depression with their father’s visitation, whereas children with high scores on secure attachment did not.

Conclusions

Findings suggested that parental visitation and the frequency of visitation were not actually associated with better psychological status, but that instead, father’s visitations were associated with higher depressive symptoms among institutionalized children. It should be noted that our cross-sectional results cannot infer any causal relationship and do not emphasize that parental visitation should be avoided. However, it may be important to conduct careful assessment before starting parental visitation, especially when children seem to have problems with attachment formation.

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Title: Association between parental visitation and depressive symptoms among institutionalized children in Japan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Aki Yazawa
Saeko Takada
Hanako Suzuki
Takashi X. Fujisawa
Akemi Tomoda
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Affective Disorder
Affective Disorder
Child Maltreatment
Child Maltreatment
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2111-x

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Springer Medicine

Association between parental visitation and depressive symptoms among institutionalized children in Japan: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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