Research article summary (published 30 Jan 2008):

The mental health of Australian mothers and fathers of young children at risk of disability.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To: (1) determine the strength of the relationship between risk of child disability and parental mental health in a nationally representative sample of Australian families with young children; (2) estimate the contribution of distress among parents of children at risk of disability to overall parental psychiatric morbidity; and (3) explore the extent to which between-group differences in parental mental health may be attributable to differences in exposure to other risk factors. METHOD: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected in Wave 1 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (n=4,983; 6.5% of children identified as being at risk of disability). RESULTS: Elevated rates of psychological distress indicative of serious mental illness were found among mothers (OR=5.1, 95% CL 3.5-7.6), but not fathers (OR=1.4, 95% CL 0.5-3.4) of children at risk of disability. Psychological distress among mothers of children at risk of disability accounted for 23% of estimated total maternal psychiatric morbidity. Approximately 50% of the elevated risk of distress for mothers was accounted for by increased rates of poverty among children at risk of disability and their families, an association possibly mediated by increased exposure to adverse life events, poorer maternal health and reduced personal-social capital. CONCLUSIONS: The association between risk of child disability and maternal mental health is strongly confounded by increased rates of poverty among children at risk of disability. Any residual risk appears to be related to the poorer social, emotional and behavioural development of children at risk of disability. Social and health policy responses need to focus on poverty reduction, enhancing the personal social capital of mothers living in poverty and on improving the social, emotional and behavioural development of the children.

Author information

Author/s: Emerson, Eric (E); Llewellyn, Gwynnyth (G);

Affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales. eric.emerson(-atsign-)lancaster.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health (Aust N Z J Public Health), published in Australia. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Feb; vol 32 (issue 1) : pp 53-9

Dates: Created 2008/02/22; Completed 2008/04/30;

PMID: 18290914, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological Adolescent Adult Age Factors Australia Child Child, Preschool Cross-Sectional Studies Disability Evaluation Disabled Persons - psychology Fathers - psychology Female Health Status

Humans Infant Infant, Newborn Life Change Events Male Maternal Welfare Mental Disorders - etiology Mental Health Mothers - psychology Parents - psychology Risk Factors Social Support Stress, Psychological

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