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Reductions in Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Mothers of Substance-Exposed Infants, Participating in a Psychosocial Program

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Abstract

Objective: Depression profoundly impairs psychosocial functioning. Depression can have disruptive effects on a person's family, with significant impact on the psychosocial development of the children. Recent research suggests that a mother's depressive symptoms may increase parenting stress and that parenting stress may, in turn, increase depressive symptoms, with a possible negative cycle to this process. Little is known about how these two factors interact in drug-involved mothers. This study examines how the NEW CONNECTIONS intervention (a parental education and support program for drug-involved parents) acts on parental stress and symptoms of depression. Methods: The study site was the NEW CONNECTIONS Infant Intervention Program. The Beck Depression Inventory – II (BDI-II) and the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) were administered to drug- and alcohol-involved mothers (N = 120) at baseline and after the intervention (Week 12). Results: Four of the seven PSI domains of parenting stress showed a significant reduction (Demandingness, Competence, Isolation, and Role Restriction). Changes in four domains were significantly correlated with reductions in depressive symptoms (Competence, Isolation, Attachment, and Role Restriction). There was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms as measured by the BDI-II. Conclusion: Reduction in some aspects of parenting stress is associated with reduction in depressive symptoms in mothers of substance-exposed infants who participated in the NEWCONNECTIONS psychosocial intervention targeting the parent–child relationship.

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Kern, J.K., West, E.Y., Grannemann, B.D. et al. Reductions in Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Mothers of Substance-Exposed Infants, Participating in a Psychosocial Program. Matern Child Health J 8, 127–136 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:MACI.0000037646.01017.b9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:MACI.0000037646.01017.b9

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