Depression and trauma history in first‐time mothers receiving home visitation

Abstract

AbstractThis article examines the prevalence and correlates of depression and trauma history in first‐time mothers receiving home visitation. One hundred twenty‐three mothers in a Healthy Families America (HFA) program completed measures of depression, trauma history, social support, sense of control, and child abuse risk. Number of completed home visits, number of uncompleted home visits, and total telephone contact time were documented for each participant over the first 6 months of enrollment. Nearly 30% of the mothers scored in the clinically significant range on the depression measure. Approximately 70% of the sample had experienced at least one violent trauma. Depression and violent trauma, but not nonviolent trauma, were related to greater child abuse risk and less maternal sense of control and social support. Violent traumas were related to greater interruptions in service delivery as reflected by more uncompleted home visits. After controlling for social support and sense of control, depression was associated with more telephone contact between mothers and home visitors. Mothers receiving home visitation exhibited a heightened incidence of depression and trauma history relative to the population at large. These constructs were related to social support and sense of control, both of which are targets of home visitation. Depression and trauma history may significantly influence the delivery and outcomes obtained from home visitation. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.