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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Psychology
Notes
- Abstract:
- The present study focused on the effects of an in-home maternal depression treatment approach for women who are both minorities and of lower socioeconomic status. Participants included 100 African American, Haitian, and Hispanic women and adolescents. The relationships between the levels of maternal depression and mother-infant interactions, the level of maternal depression and infant development, and mother-infant interactions and infant development were explored. In order to assess depression, interactions, and cognitive development, the Beck Depression Inventory- Second Edition, the Parent-Child Interaction Inventory (Healthy Family Program, 2003), and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development- Second Edition (Bayley, 1993) were used. Mothers were provided 25 sessions of psychoeducation, supportive counseling, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, in their homes for six months. Analyses included a series of correlations and t-test. Results of the present study showed that a decrease in maternal depression was related to improved mother- infant interaction. In addition, the mothers’ depression at intake was significantly decreased when compared to discharge. Overall, the results of the current study suggest that mother-infant dyads who are involved in a poor relationship may benefit from in-home treatment to decrease mothers’ post-partum depression and positively enhance interaction. Previous research supports the notion that despondent relationships between depressed mothers and their infants may lead to weak bonds between the dyads at a later time; this deprived interaction may even affect children’s ability to develop emotional and cognitive stability. Further, the results of the current study extend and support the study conducted by Chabrol et al. (2002) which suggested that women suffering from postpartum depression benefit from an in-home treatment approach because it is more comfortable and convenient. Because the sample of women in the current study was comprised of women from low socioeconomic levels, this treatment approach may be even more beneficial because these women often had difficulties arriving to the treatment center for regular therapy sessions; this fact may have exacerbated the difficulty of receiving adequate treatment for their depression and thus affected the relationships with their infants. The current study had several limitations which affected substantial outcomes regarding infant cognitive development. However, many of these limitations may be modified by increasing the number of participants in future studies and encouraging dyads to complete each interval of treatment, from intake to final assessment of the intervention at discharge.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (M.S.)--Barry University, 2008.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-56).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Jennifer Casani. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- RG852.C37 2008_CasaniJennifer ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- RG852.C37 2008 ( lcc )
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