Exposure to violence, neighborhood context, and health-related outcomes in low-income urban mothers

Trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms from infancy through early childhood: The roles of perceived financial strain, social support, and intimate partner violence

Although new mothers are at risk of heightened vulnerability for depressive symptoms, there is limited understanding regarding changes in maternal depressive symptoms over the course of the postpartum and early childhood of their child's life among rural, low-income mothers from diverse racial backgrounds. This study examined distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms among rural low-income mothers during the first five years of their child's life, at 6, 15, 24, and 58 months, using data from the Family Life Project (N = 1,292). Latent class growth analysis identified four distinct trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms, including Low-decreasing (50%; n = 622), Low-increasing (26%; n = 324), Moderate-decreasing (13%; n = 156), and Moderate-increasing (11%; n = 131) trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression demonstrated that higher perceived financial strain and intimate partner violence, and lower social support predicted higher-risk trajectories (Low-increasing, Moderate-decreasing, and Moderate-increasing) relative to the Low-decreasing trajectory. Compared to the Low-decreasing trajectory, lower neighborhood safety/quietness predicted to the Low-increasing trajectory. Moreover, lower social support predicted the Moderate-increasing trajectory, the highest-risk trajectory, compared to those in Moderate-decreasing. The current analyses underscore the heterogeneity on patterns of depressive symptoms among rural, low-income mothers, and that the role of both proximal and broader contexts contributing to distinct trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms over early childhood.

Lower Perceived Neighborhood Collective Efficacy Indirectly Influences the Association Between Perceived Maternal Exposure to Community Violence and Household Food Insecurity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Individuals of color and of low socioeconomic status are at greater risk of experiencing community violence and food insecurity, which are both influenced by neighborhood conditions. We evaluated neighborhood collective efficacy as a linkage between community violence exposure and household food insecurity.

METHODS

Mothers from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study who completed phone surveys when the child was 3 (time 1, T1) and 5 years old (time 2, T2) were included (n = 2068). A covariate-adjusted structural equation model estimated direct and indirect effects of community violence exposure on household food insecurity. A covariate-adjusted multiple mediator model estimated the indirect effects of the 2 neighborhood collective efficacy subscales (informal social control; social cohesion and trust).

RESULTS

At T1, 40% of mothers reported community violence exposure; 15% experienced food insecurity at T2. Mean neighborhood collective efficacy (range 1-5) at T1 was 2.44 (SD = 0.94). Neighborhood collective efficacy indirectly influenced the association between community violence exposure and food insecurity (indirect effect = 0.022, 95% CI = 0.007 to 0.040). Only social cohesion and trust contributed independent variance to the indirect effect model (indirect effect = 0.028, 95% CI = 0.001 to 0.056).

CONCLUSIONS

Community-based efforts to reduce household food insecurity should emphasize building social cohesion and trust in communities experiencing violence.

Family vulnerability scale: Evidence of content and internal structure validity

INTRODUCTION

Territory view based on families' vulnerability strata allows identifying different health needs that can guide healthcare at primary care scope. Despite the availability of tools designed to measure family vulnerability, there is still a need for substantial validity evidence, which limits the use of these tools in a country showing multiple socioeconomic and cultural realities, such as Brazil. The primary objective of this study is to develop and gather evidence on the validity of the Family Vulnerability Scale for Brazil, commonly referred to as EVFAM-BR (in Portuguese).

METHODS

Items were generated through exploratory qualitative study carried out by 123 health care professionals. The data collected supported the creation of 92 initial items, which were then evaluated by a panel of multi-regional and multi-disciplinary experts (n = 73) to calculate the Content Validity Ratio (CVR). This evaluation process resulted in a refined version of the scale, consisting of 38 items. Next, the scale was applied to 1,255 individuals to test the internal-structure validity by using the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Dimensionality was evaluated using Robust Parallel Analysis, and the model underwent cross-validation to determine the final version of EVFAM-BR.

RESULTS

This final version consists of 14 items that are categorized into four dimensions, accounting for an explained variance of 79.02%. All indicators were within adequate and satisfactory limits, without any cross-loading or Heywood Case issues. Reliability indices also reached adequate levels (α = 0.71; ω = 0.70; glb = 0.83 and ORION ranging from 0.80 to 0.93, between domains). The instrument scores underwent a normalization process, revealing three distinct vulnerability strata: low (0 to 4), moderate (5 to 6), and high (7 to 14).

CONCLUSION

The scale exhibited satisfactory validity evidence, demonstrating consistency, reliability, and robustness. It resulted in a concise instrument that effectively measures and distinguishes levels of family vulnerability within the primary care setting in Brazil.

Emotional Support Among Parents of Children With Adverse Childhood Experiences

INTRODUCTION

We assess the association between a child's exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the parent's current experiences of emotional support.

METHOD

This study used pooled cross-sectional data from the National Survey of Children's Health (N = 129,988). Emotional support for the parent was classified by the presence (any emotional support, no emotional support) and type (any formal support or only informal support). All models were adjusted for relevant predisposing, enabling, and need factors.

RESULTS

Having two or more ACEs was associated with a higher probability of any emotional support (average marginal effect = 0.017; 95% confidence interval = 0.002-0.032) and a higher probability of formal support (average marginal effect = 0.049; 95% confidence interval = 0.028-0.069). Several individual ACEs were associated with the presence and type of emotional support.

DISCUSSION

Parents of children with higher ACEs are likelier to have emotional support, especially formal support.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Neighborhood Support, and Internalizing and Externalizing Mental Disorders among 6-17 years old US Children: Evidence from a Population-Based Study

We pooled data from four years (2016-2019) of the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) and included a nationally representative sample of 6 to 17 years old US children (N = 94,369; Mean age = 11.53 years, Standard Deviation [SD] = 3.53). Among 6-17-year-old US children, about 48% had a lifelong exposure to at least one of nine Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and 18.7% had a current diagnosis of at least one of four mental disorders. We examined the association between ACEs, neighborhood support, and mental disorders using several logistic regression models. More types of lifelong ACEs and lower neighborhood support were associated with a higher diagnosis of internalizing (anxiety/depression) and externalizing (ADHD/behavior problems) mental disorders (odds ratio [OR] > 1, and p < .001 for all relationships). After controlling for neighborhood support in the models, the odds ratios for ACEs attenuated but remained significant in all models regardless of mental disorder type or age group. However, the odds ratios for neighborhood support were larger for the association with ADHD/behavior problems than anxiety/depression. Moreover, odds ratios for neighborhood support levels were higher for older children (12-17 years old) compared to younger (6-11 years old) children. Higher neighborhood support appears to mitigate the adverse effects of ACEs on mental disorders, especially externalizing mental disorders (anxiety/depression) among adolescents (12-17 years old).

Continuity and change in neighborhood disadvantage and adolescent depression and anxiety

We used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study which includes a sample of adolescents of age 15 at the most recent wave (between 2014 and 2017) from mainly low-income urban families in the United States, to examine the association between neighborhood poverty entries and exits and adolescent depression and anxiety. In addition, we examined whether these associations differed by gender. Adolescents who consistently lived in disadvantaged neighborhoods had the highest level of depression and anxiety. Those who entered poor neighborhoods were more depressed than those who never lived in poor neighborhoods. Those who exited poor neighborhoods showed no significant difference in depression and anxiety compared to those never lived in poor neighborhoods. Furthermore, these associations applied to adolescent girls only and were not statistically significant for boys. The results suggest that neighborhood poverty has cumulative negative impacts on adolescent mental health and disproportionally affects adolescent girls. Reducing neighborhood poverty would substantially improve the health of adolescents, especially girls, which would reduce health disparities.

Gun Violence Exposure and Experiences of Depression Among Mothers

Gun violence is a uniquely prevalent issue in the USA that disproportionately affects disadvantaged families already at risk of health disparities. Despite the traumatic nature of witnessing gun violence, we have little knowledge of whether exposure to local gun violence is associated with higher risks of depression among mothers, whose symptoms of depression are likely to have spillover effects for kin. We examined the association between exposure to gun violence in mothers' neighborhoods and their experiences of depression using longitudinal Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study data (n = 4587) in tandem with lagged outcome and fixed effect models. We find that mothers who witness at least one shooting in their neighborhoods or local communities exhibit more symptoms of depression and are 32-60% more likely to meet criteria for depression than mothers who do not witness a shooting. We also find that witnessing a shooting is associated with increases in parental aggravation, which is partially mediated by maternal depression. Given this and other previously documented spillover effects of mothers' mental health on children and family members, these findings have important implications for mothers' wellbeing and their kin. Further, we observe substantial racial and socioeconomic disparities in exposure to gun violence, suggesting that gun violence may heighten health disparities and drawing attention to the importance of providing mental health resources in communities that are most affected by gun violence.

Residential segregation, neighborhood violence and disorder, and inequalities in anxiety among Jewish and Palestinian-Arab perinatal women in Israel

BACKGROUND

Residential segregation can foster health inequality mechanisms by increasing stress related to neighborhood violence and disorder.

AIMS

We studied the association between neighborhood violence and disorder and inequalities in anxiety between two groups of perinatal Israeli women (Jewish, Palestinian-Arab) living in ethno-nationally segregated neighborhoods, and explored the influence of neighborhood characteristics; social support and chronic stress to this inequality.

METHODS

We linked survey data on neighborhood violence and disorder, neighborhood social characteristics (collective efficacy, social capital and social support) and aggregate discrimination to neighborhood SES census data. The survey data was obtained from the "Family Relations, Violence and Health" study (2014-2015) and included a stratified national sample of women (Palestinian-Arab = 436, Jewish = 965) residing in 63 segregated neighborhoods. We conducted multi-variable logistic regression analysis for anxiety (measured based on State-trait Anxiety Inventory) using generalized estimating equation (GEE) to estimate odds ratios of the association with neighborhood violence and disorder (total score for 10 problems) while considering neighborhood characteristics (SES; social characteristics; aggregate discrimination), social support and chronic stress in different models for the total sample, and separately for Palestinian-Arab and Jewish women.

RESULTS

Palestinian-Arab women had higher anxiety (60.5% vs. 42.1%, respectively) and higher severity of neighborhood violence and disorder (49.5% vs. 16.2%, respectively) compared to Jewish women. After considering individual and neighborhood variables, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.63, 1.04-2.56. The association between neighborhood violence and disorder and anxiety was significant for low vs. no problems in the final model for the total sample (AOR, 95%CI = 1.28, 1.00-1.64). Similarly, significant association was found only for low severity vs. no problems for Jewish women (1.40, 1.07-1.86). While among Palestinian-Arab women the association between neighborhood violence and disorder and anxiety rendered insignificant in the final model. Neighborhood social cohesion and social support were protective factors from anxiety in both groups, high neighborhood SES was protective factor only among Jewish women, and neighborhood aggregate discrimination was a risk factor only in Palestinian-Arab women.

CONCLUSIONS

Inequalities in anxiety related to neighborhood violence and disorder in ethno-national perinatal groups of women likely reflect residential segregation. Policies entrenching segregation might have affected neighborhood mechanisms (SES inequalities, aggregate discrimination and low social cohesion) that lead to higher stress and ethno-national inequalities in anxiety among perinatal women.

The Association Between Social Support, Violence, and Social Service Needs Among a Select Sample of Urban Adults in Baltimore City

Experiencing violence has been associated with negative health outcomes. The objectives of this study were to determine whether experiencing violence is associated increased support service needs and suboptimal general health indicators. In addition, we explore the relationship between these and perceived social support among a select sample of urban predominantly male adults in Baltimore City. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 187 adults being seen in one of seven urban partner agencies participating in a parent HIV prevention and treatment demonstration project. Associations were examined using a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusting for the clinic site at which the client was being seen as well as age and gender identity. There was a significant amount of violence experienced by this population; 131 (72%) reported having seen someone be physically assaulted, and 89 (49%) had been physically assaulted without a weapon. Direct victimization from violence was associated with a threefold increased odds of needing housing and mental health/substance use services. Exposure to violence was associated with a threefold increase in needing housing and mental health/substance use services, and with sub-optimal health status. Perceived social support was associated with 30% decreased reports of experiencing violence. In conclusion, our select sample of urban adults report having experienced high rates of violence, and this is associated with increased support service needs as well as suboptimal perceived health status. Incorporating care for the effects of experiencing violence as well as social service needs are important in optimizing the health of urban populations.

Unmet health care needs among children of mothers exposed to violence

BACKGROUND

Existing literature shows that maternal exposure to violence has negative consequences on the health and behavioral outcomes of their children, but how it affects unmet child healthcare needs is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To examine associations between maternal violence exposure and unmet child healthcare needs in vulnerable families.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

We used data from the third and fifth years of Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a birth cohort study of urban children born between 1998 and 2000 n = 2848.

METHODS

Mothers completed a self-reported questionnaire or interview. Maternal violence exposure was measured through direct (victim) and indirect (witness) exposure. Unmet child healthcare needs was operationalized through: not having seen a doctor when needed, not having a well-child visit in the past year, and never had a dental check-up.

RESULTS

In adjusted logistic regression models, children of mothers who were victims of violence were more likely to not have seen a doctor when needed (odds ratio = 3.36, p < 0.01), not have a well-child visit in the past year (odds ratio = 2.50, p < 0.01), and never have a dental check-up (odds ratio = 1.54, p < 0.01). There was no association between maternal witnessing violence and unmet child healthcare needs.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study of urban children, having a mother who was a victim of violence was associated with unmet healthcare needs. These findings underscore the need to invest in efforts to reduce the prevalence of violence. Such efforts would reduce unmet child healthcare needs in vulnerable families.