The Urbanization of Poverty in Latin America and Maternal Depression: Prevalence, Correlates, and Relationship to Child Development
Latin America is undergoing the most rapid urbanization of poverty worldwide, straining an already limited psychosocial care system. Urban migrants, especially women, are at high risk for depression because of urban poverty, migratory trauma, and social isolation. Existing research from developing countries suggests that depression is detrimental to women and jeopardizes the healthy development of their children. However, this relationship has not been examined within urban migrant communities in Latin America, despite these communities having disproportionate risk and a paucity of mental health services. In an attempt to further this field of inquiry, the current study examines 1) prevalence and correlates of depression among a community of urban migrant women in Latin America, 2) if/how maternal depression among these women affects the developmental potential of their children, and 3) possible relationship-based and community-based variables that mediate or moderate the relationship between maternal depression and child outcomes, with the goal of informing psychosocial interventions for urban migrant communities.In collaboration with a non-governmental organization (NGO), data were collected from 97 low-income mothers and their school-aged children (ages 5-10 years) living in the El Porvenir region of Trujillo, Peru. This community reflects many of the demographic, physical, political, and social factors characteristic of urban migrant communities throughout Latin America. Analysis revealed that two-thirds of the mothers met criteria for clinical depression: a rate significantly higher than low-income Latin American mothers not affected by urban migration. Urbanization stress was a significant predictor of maternal depression, with single parent status and ongoing domestic violence being the only significant isolated risk factors. Maternal depression was significantly correlated with internalizing and externalizing behavior in children. Maternal depression was related to more negative attitudes about parenting, and indirect effects were found between maternal depression and externalizing behavior via parenting attitudes. Parenting factors were tied to both socioemotional and cognitive outcomes for children. Finally, ongoing domestic violence was tied to parenting behaviors and child outcomes. Implications of these findings are discussed in detail, with emphasis on interventions that target depression, domestic violence, and parenting skills while also utilizing fewer specialized mental health resources.
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