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Parental Depression and Associations with Parenting and Children’s Physical and Mental Health in a Sub-Saharan African Setting

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Abstract

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health challenges in low- and middle-income countries. However, the mechanisms of parental depression on children’s development are understudied in these countries. This study examined the prevalence of parental depression, contextual predictors of parental depression, and the associations between parental depression, parenting and children’s development in one of the Sub-Saharan African countries-Uganda. Three hundred and three Ugandan parents of young children were recruited and interviewed. Results indicated that about 28 % of parents were depressed. Contextual factors such as low educational attainment, food insecurity, low social support, and high number of children were associated with parental depression. Structural equation modeling also indicated that Ugandan parents’ depression was associated with less optimal parenting, and higher problem behavior, lower social competence, and poorer physical health and school functioning in children. Results provide several cross cultural consistency evidence in associations among parental depression, parenting, and child development.

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Acknowledgments

Funding provided by National Institutes of Mental Health (1R21MH097115-01A1). We wish to acknowledge the generous participation of the schools, community leaders and parents; data collection assistance from Joy Gumikiriza, Diana Kalema, and Annet Kembabazi; and technical support from ChildFund Uganda and Child Protection in Crisis Network for Research, Learning and Action.

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Author notes

  1. Keng-Yen Huang

    Present address: Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 227 East 30th Street, 1st FL, New York, NY, 1006, USA

  2. Gloria Abura

    Present address: College of Health Science, Makerere University, PO Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 227 East 30th Street, 1st FL, New York, NY, 1006, USA

    Keng-Yen Huang & Rachelle Theise

  2. College of Health Science, Makerere University, PO Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda

    Gloria Abura & Janet Nakigudde

Authors
  1. Keng-Yen Huang
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  4. Janet Nakigudde
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Correspondence to Keng-Yen Huang.

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Huang, KY., Abura, G., Theise, R. et al. Parental Depression and Associations with Parenting and Children’s Physical and Mental Health in a Sub-Saharan African Setting. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 48, 517–527 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-016-0679-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-016-0679-7

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