Prevalence and predictors of clinically significant depressive symptoms among Chinese and Malawian children: a cross-cultural comparative cross-sectional study.

Maggie Zgambo,Sanmei Chen,Honghong Wang,Fatch Welcome Kalembo,Guoping He

doi:10.5539/gjhs.v7n1p59

Maggie Zgambo, Sanmei Chen + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v7n1p59

Copy DOI

Abstract

Background:Multicultural comparative studies have recently increased scientific knowledge base regarding the mental health of diverse populations. This cross-cultural study was cross-sectionally designed to assess differences in the prevalence and predictors of clinically significant depressive symptoms between Chinese and Malawian children.Methods:A total of 478 children (237 Chinese and 241 Malawians) were randomly recruited in the study. The participants completed a Children Depression Inventory in the dimensions of Negative Mood, Interpersonal Problems, Ineffectiveness, Anhedonia, and Negative Self- Esteem. They further provided demographic and family structure information. Data were analyzed by Student’s t-test, Chi-square test, and logistic regression.Results:The prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms was 16% and 12.4% for Chinese and Malawian study participants, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that fighting among siblings (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.1, 95% CI, 3.5–5.9), fighting among children and parents (aOR = 7.7, 95% CI, 4.6–9.8) and living with father only (aOR = 4.1, 95% CI, 3.4–6.7) were significant predictors of clinically significant depressive symptoms among Chinese study participants. On the other hand, clinically significant depressive symptoms were predicted by employment status of a mom only among Malawian study participants (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI, 2.3–5.9).Conclusions:We conclude that diverse cultures affect children’s mental health differently and this cluster of children has a noticeable amount of depressive symptoms that in the least requires further diagnosis and preventive measures.

Highlights

There is growing knowledge on different levels of depression from comparative studies which have had sufficient numbers of children from different socio-economic and racial/ethnic backgrounds
Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that fighting among siblings, fighting among children and parents and living with father only were significant predictors of clinically significant depressive symptoms among Chinese study participants
Clinically significant depressive symptoms were predicted by employment status of a mom only among Malawian study participants

Summary

Introduction

There is growing knowledge on different levels of depression from comparative studies which have had sufficient numbers of children from different socio-economic and racial/ethnic backgrounds. The depression prevalence and risk increase among children and the conceptual organization of the symptoms characterizing depression have been associated with different race and cultural background (Park et al, 2010; Seaton, Caldwell, Sellers, & Jackson, 2010). Prevalence rate of depression and pattern of occurrence have appeared to be different among children from diverse race and cultural backgrounds. A large study by Roberts and colleagues, an ethnically diverse sample of over 5,000 Anglo, African, Chinese, Mexican, and Native American students in Grades 6 through 8 were assessed for major depression. Multicultural comparative studies have recently increased scientific knowledge base regarding the mental health of diverse populations. This cross-cultural study was cross-sectionally designed to assess differences in the prevalence and predictors of clinically significant depressive symptoms between Chinese and Malawian children

Methods

Results

Conclusion