Relevance of the Quality of Partner Relationships and Maternal Health to Early Child Wellness

Citation

Surkan, Pamela J. & Poteat, Tonia (2011). Relevance of the Quality of Partner Relationships and Maternal Health to Early Child Wellness. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 32(4), 292-300.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between child health and maternal relationship quality with a spouse/partner, self-rated health, depressive symptoms, and social support.
METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, structured interviews were completed with 595 mothers in 2002. Women were recruited from a random sample of households in low-income communities of Teresina, Piauí. Child health status was assessed with the Eisen Infant Health Rating Scale and a composite index of child fever, worms, or diarrhea in the past 2 weeks. Exposure variables included maternal relationship quality, self-rated health, depressive symptoms, and social support. Analyses included multivariable linear and logistic regression modeling, controlling for sociodemographics.
RESULTS: Both a high-quality partner relationship and good/excellent maternal self-rated health were significantly associated with higher scores on the Eisen Infant Health Rating Scale (â = 0.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3-1.4 and β = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.7-1.6, respectively). Every 5-point increase in depressive symptoms was negatively associated with infant health scores (β = -0.3; 95% CI: -0.4 to -0.1) and with recent child wellness (lack of fever, diarrhea, or worms) (odds ratio = 0.9 95%; CI: 0.8-1.0).
CONCLUSION: Maternal factors, such as partner relationship quality and health status, may be important to child health and should be considered for inclusion in confirmatory longitudinal studies.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0b013e318210fb61

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2011

Journal Title

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

Author(s)

Surkan, Pamela J.
Poteat, Tonia