Depressive symptoms in extended-care employees: children, social support, and work-family conditions

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2011;32(12):752-65. doi: 10.3109/01612840.2011.609958.

Abstract

To examine the relation between having a child aged 18 years and under in the home and employee depressive symptoms, we analyzed cross-sectional data from four extended care facilities in Boston, MA (n = 376 employees). Results show that having a child is associated with slightly higher depressive symptoms. The strength of this relationship in our models is attenuated with the inclusion of social support at home (β = 1.08 and β = 0.85, with and without support, respectively) and may differ by gender. We recommend that future research examine the role of parenting and social support in predicting employee mental health.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Conflict, Psychological
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / prevention & control*
  • Family
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Massachusetts / epidemiology
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Personnel Management*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities*
  • Social Support
  • Workforce