RESUMEN
Children of Mexican immigrants are exposed to multiple ecological risks that heighten their likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms. In previous studies, affirming parent-child communication has been found to be protective against depressive symptoms in Hispanic youth. Interventions focused on enhancing communication between parents and youth have the possibility of strengthening protective factors for children. The aims of this study were to (1) adapt an evidence-based parent-child communication intervention (Mission Possible) for cultural relevance for low-income, low-literacy Mexican immigrant mothers and their children and (2) assess feasibility of delivering the adapted intervention in a school setting. Adaptation took place in a series of focus groups of mother-child dyads. The revised intervention was delivered to 27 mother-child dyads in two elementary schools. Feasibility was supported by high participant satisfaction, 80% attendance rate, and 75% retention rate. This preliminary work suggests strategies for school nurses to partner with immigrant families and outlines a potential intervention that expands the school nursing role.
Asunto(s)
Aculturación , Comunicación , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes/psicología , Americanos Mexicanos/psicología , Relaciones Madre-Hijo , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud/métodos , Adulto , Niño , Comportamiento del Consumidor/estadística & datos numéricos , Depresión/prevención & control , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Estudios de Factibilidad , Grupos Focales , Humanos , Masculino , Americanos Mexicanos/estadística & datos numéricos , México/etnología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Medio Oeste de Estados Unidos , Madres , Pobreza , Servicios de Enfermería Escolar/métodos , Instituciones Académicas , Factores Socioeconómicos , Estudiantes/psicologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive study was to establish the validity and reliability of the measurement of body image and body attitudes among Mexican American women. DATA SOURCES: Completed measures of height, weight, waist circumference, body mass index, acculturation, body image, and body attitude of 35 U.S.-born Mexican American women between the ages of 18 and 65 years of age. Also included were repeated measures of body image and body attitude and verbatim face-to-face interviews with 13 study participants. CONCLUSIONS: Most study participants were overweight; however, body image discrepancy (difference between perceived actual and ideal body image) did not increase as anticipated and was negatively related to body mass index; suggesting those participants' perceptions of ideal body image increased with increasing body size and was reliable. Body attitude subscale scores had varying relationships to weight status. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Further study is warranted examining why an acceptance of a greater body image occurs, potentially leading to a greater understanding of the influences of body image integration on health behaviors. Clinicians working with Mexican American women should consider weight reduction interventions that are based on an individual assessment of the perceptions of body image and body attitudes.
Asunto(s)
Aculturación , Actitud Frente a la Salud/etnología , Imagen Corporal , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud/etnología , Americanos Mexicanos/psicología , Obesidad/etnología , Adulto , Anciano , Características Culturales , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Percepción Social , Valores Sociales , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Salud de la Mujer/etnología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Depression among Mexican immigrant women and children exceeds national prevalence rates. Given the influence of maternal depression on children, a clinical trial testing the effects of the Mexican American Problem Solving (MAPS) program was designed to address depression symptoms of Mexican immigrant women and their fourth and fifth grade children (302 dyads) through a linked home visiting and after school program compared to peers in a control group. Schools were randomized to intervention and control groups. There were statistically significant improvements in the children's health conceptions and family problem solving communication, factors predictive of mental health. Improvements in children's depression symptoms in the intervention group approached statistical significance. These promising results suggest that refined school based nursing interventions be included in community strategies to address the serious mental health problems that Mexican immigrants face.
RESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to describe depression and suicidal ideation rates in a community sample of 182 urban fourth and fifth grade Mexican American children using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). We used a descriptive secondary data analysis design. The mean CDI score was 9.55 (SD = 5.8). Thirty-one percent fell in the depressed range using a clinical cut point of 12 and 7% fell into the depressed range using the non-clinical cut point of 19. Thirty-eight percent (n = 69) reported suicidal ideation. The depression rate was consistent with national rates. A non-clinical cut point of 19 showed that 87% of children reporting suicidal ideation were not identified as depressed. Many of these children do not report the most typical symptoms of depression. The results of this study provide school nurses with vital information to support efforts addressing the mental health needs of Mexican American children.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno Depresivo/etnología , Americanos Mexicanos/etnología , Psicología Infantil , Suicidio/etnología , Adulto , Afecto , Actitud Frente a la Salud/etnología , Chicago , Niño , Trastorno Depresivo/diagnóstico , Trastorno Depresivo/prevención & control , Emigración e Inmigración , Femenino , Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Edad Materna , Rol de la Enfermera , Evaluación en Enfermería , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Factores de Riesgo , Servicios de Enfermería Escolar/organización & administración , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Población Urbana/estadística & datos numéricos , Prevención del SuicidioRESUMEN
Depression is a leading cause of disability in the United States, with Mexican immigrant women reporting depression rates higher than the national average. The purposes of this study were to describe mental health symptoms in a sample (n = 182) of Mexican immigrant mothers and their relationships to child mental health, family functioning, and acculturation. Over one third of the mothers reported depression and anxiety symptoms above standardized cutoffs while 31% of the children scored in the depressed range. Of those children with high depression scores, 51% also had a mother with high depression and anxiety scores. Boys' depression scores were related to maternal reports of family functioning and stress, while girls' depression scores were related to maternal reports of depression, anxiety, and stress. Maternal mental health symptoms were associated with family functioning but not with acculturation. These data indicate that poorer maternal mental health and family functioning is associated with greater stress in Mexican immigrant children.