Departmental Papers (SPP)

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of this Version

May 2007

Abstract

Objective: In several populations, maternal depression has been associated with reduced child safety. In an urban pediatric Emergency Department, we examined the relationship between parental depression, social support, and domestic conflict and child safety behaviors.

Methods: We studied consecutive patients in an Emergency Department. Trained interviewers used a structured instrument to assess patient, primary caregiver, and household demographics, socio-economic status, psychosocial factors, child safety behaviors (whether a gun was in the home, poisons were locked, a functioning smoke detector was present, and use of carseats or seatbelts), and whether the home was smoke-free. 1,116 patients provided adequate data.

Results: Depression was associated with a modest and not statistically significant reduction in child safety behaviors in this population. Lack of social support and the presence of domestic conflict were robustly, independently, and statistically significantly associated with less safe homes. Domestic conflict was associated with more smoking in the home.

Conclusion: In our population, child safety was associated less with depression and more with parental lack of social support and domestic conflict. These can be assessed in a Emergency Department and may be amenable to intervention.

Comments

Postprint version. Published in Maternal and Child Health Journal, Volume 11, Issue 3, May 2007, pages 269-275.
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10995-006-0171-2

Keywords

social support, depression, emergency room, child safety, domestic violence, injury prevention

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Date Posted: 21 March 2008

This document has been peer reviewed.