A study of factors relating to maternal depression to prevent child abuse
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Authors
Telles, Amanda C.
Issue Date
2008
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Forensic sciences
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study examines major factors surrounding maternal stress, with focus specifically on postpartum depression, a known cause of child abuse. Through the review of studies conducted within the last fifteen years, a review of specific aspects related to the mother’s environment are explored, namely, education, financial status, and maternal support system, with a special consideration for partner support in relation to maternal homicide. The results show that with higher education and income come lower incidences of postpartum depression, with two-tailed paired /-test results below a 0.05 pvalue for significance. Although intervention by a nurse practitioner did not result in significantly lower EPDS scores with p=0.32, mothers and children who received such intervention had overall beneficial results as measured by the HOME inventory. Mothers with continued depression had low perceptions of partner support on all subscales, and an unsupportive partner was a significant factor in cases of maternal filicide.