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This paper analyzes the predictive effect of recurrent maternal depression and social vulnerability indicators on internalizing behavior among schoolchildren, considering potential differences in mediator and moderator effects related to the children’s gender. A cross-section of 100 mother-child pairs participated in the study and were systematically assessed: mothers were aged between 25 and 45 years old and children were at school age (7-12 years old); 50 mothers presented recurrent depression and 50 mothers presented no mental disorders. The mothers answered to a diagnostic interview, a general questionnaire and to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Prediction models assessed maternal depression and social vulnerability indicators as well as the moderator and mediator effect of the children’s gender (p ≤ .05). The results indicate that maternal depression is directly and negatively related to emotional problems for boys and girls, maintaining its significant impact for girls in the presence of cumulative risks. For the effect of cumulative risks for such an outcome, the mothers’ low educational level influence emotional problems among boys. Gender was not identified as a moderator or mediator variable. Identifying the differentiated impact of maternal depression and other vulnerable conditions for boys and girls can support public policies focused on child mental health and care delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer support groups have been an increasingly popular way of limiting the adverse effects of life with a chronic illness for adolescents although few groups have been rigorously evaluated. This paper reports the findings of a realistic evaluation of a hospital based peer support program Chronic Illness Peer Support (ChIPS), in Sydney, Australia. We collected qualitative interview and focus group data from four participant groups; new ChIPS members, their parents, older members who had been in ChIPS for two or more years, and ChIPS co-ordinators past and present. Results of qualitative data have been aggregated and organised into three categories; program attendance: getting in and staying in; program outcomes for young people: personal growth and development; and social connection. Questionnaires were also administered to fourteen new ChIPS members but no significant changes in distress or self-esteem were recorded between the beginning and the end of the short study period. The ChIPS Introductory Program fulfilled its aim, entering young people with chronic illness into the peer support program. There was evidence of initial personal growth and development in those young people, with potential for enhanced social connection from ongoing participation in ChIPS activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young expecting parents face a great deal of challenges as they transition into parenthood. This paper sought to identify racial and gender differences in the relationship between general discrimination, neighborhood problems, neighborhood cohesion, and social support on the depressive and stress symptoms among young expecting couples. Results indicated perceived general discrimination and less social support was associated with increased stress and depression. More neighborhood problems were related to increased depression and more neighborhood cohesion was related to less stress. Moderator analyses showed that the influence of general discrimination and stress was stronger for women than men. In addition, neighborhood cohesion was protective on stress for Blacks and Whites but not for Hispanics. These results indicate the need to address the broader social context for young expectant couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fathers are critical in the lives of young people, including those living with mental illness. Fathers' support may be different to that of mothers and is likely to influence the well-being of other family members. However, fathers' support is often seen as 'secondary' and little is known about the nature, diversity and impact of their involvement. This paper explores the parts played by fathers in supporting a young person (15-21 years old) living with mental illness. A modified grounded theory approach was used to perform a secondary analysis of data from in-depth interviews with 32 participants from 14 families: 13 young people, 13 mothers; and 6 fathers. Participants' descriptions of fathers' involvement varied along five dimensions, being the extent to which fathers: directly supported the young person; supported the mother; aligned with the mother; took responsibility for supporting the young person; and needed input from the mother. From comparison of data relating to each dimension across families, four distinct models of perceived father involvement are proposed. These are represented by transport metaphors: co-pilots; captain/first-mate; gondolier; and separate drivers. Father involvement was seen as having an impact on both young people directly and mothers' abilities to support young people. The findings are preliminary given the exploratory nature of the study, but nevertheless highlight the need for helping professionals and researchers to attend to father involvement to facilitate optimum parent support for young people living with mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the parental changes and challenges that anticipated and followed the communication of the diagnosis of autism. The methodology was a collaborative and participatory case study focused on the perceptions of 31 families with a child on the autism spectrum enrolled in a no-profit Association in the Province of Monza and Brianza (Italy). The aim of the research was collecting information for the establishment of a local permanent observatory, monitoring the needs of families with children with autism, and identifying possible operational proposals to implement the quality of the territorial services, through the enhancement of the experiences, perceptions and representations of families, analysing their points of view. Methods included semi structured interviews and questionnaires; the data were analysed through the interpretative phenomenological analysis method. The findings show that parents need to be supported in order to avoid crisis and confusion on the child's future perspectives, as consequence of the diagnosis of autism. The paper draws out implications for further studies that wish to analyse other family perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has shown that children with high levels of early anxiety/withdrawal are at increased risk of later anxiety and depression. It has also been found that positive parent-child attachment reduces the risk of these disorders. The aim of this paper was to examine the extent to which positive parent-child attachment acted to mitigate the risk of later internalising disorders amongst children with high levels of early anxiety/withdrawal using data from a 30 years longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort. The findings of this study showed that: (a) increasing rates of early anxiety/withdrawal were associated with an increased risk of later anxiety and depression; (b) positive parent-child attachment in adolescence was associated with a decline in the risk of later anxiety and depression; and (c) these associations persisted even after controlling for confounding factors. The implications of these findings for the role of parent-child attachment in mitigating the adverse effects of early anxiety/withdrawal are discussed. It is concluded that positive parent-child attachment in adolescence may act as a compensatory factor which buffers the adverse effects of childhood anxiety/withdrawal on risks of developing later anxiety and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]