scholarly journals Is bullying in adolescence associated with the development of depressive symptoms in adulthood?: A longitudinal cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trine Nøhr Winding ◽  
Lisbeth Astrid Skouenborg ◽  
Vibeke Lie Mortensen ◽  
Johan Hviid Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Exposure Response ◽  
Being Bullied

Abstract Background Being bullied in adolescence is linked to mental health problems like anxiety, depressive- and somatic symptoms and can have negative consequences on both an individual and a societal level. However, evidence regarding the long-term mental health consequences of bullying in adolescence is limited. The aim of this study was to examine whether being bullied at age 15 or 18 was associated with experiencing depressive symptoms at age 28, and to examine whether being bullied at both ages 15 and 18 increased the risk of experiencing depressive symptoms at age 28. Methods A prospective cohort study, which applied data from the West Jutland Cohort Study, was conducted. Bullying and depressive symptoms were measured on the basis of self-reported data from surveys in 2004, 2007 and 2017. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. A total of 1790 participants were included in the study, and analyzed by multiple logistic regressions. Results The results showed associations between being bullied at age 15 or 18 and the reporting of depressive symptoms at age 28 when adjusted for potential confounders. An exposure–response relationship was seen in those who were bullied at both ages 15 and 18. This group had the highest risk of developing depressive symptoms at age 28. Conclusions Being bullied in adolescence was associated with developing depressive symptoms in adulthood and there was an exposure–response relationship between being bullied over time and the later reporting of depressive symptoms. The results highlight the need to provide more detailed information to schools and local communities about the negative consequences of bullying. Such increased awareness may help reduce the risk of young people developing depressive symptoms later in life.

scholarly journals Predictors of persistent maternal depression trajectories in early childhood: results from the EDEN mother–child cohort study in France

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1999-2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. van der Waerden ◽  
C. Galéra ◽  
M.-J. Saurel-Cubizolles ◽  
A.-L. Sutter-Dallay ◽  
M. Melchior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Preschool Period ◽  
Persistent Depression ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

BackgroundMaternal depression in the pre- and postpartum period may set women on a course of chronic depressive symptoms. Little is known about predictors of persistently elevated depressive symptoms in mothers from pregnancy onwards. The aims of this study are to determine maternal depression trajectories from pregnancy to the child's fifth birthday and identify associated risk factors.MethodMothers (N = 1807) from the EDEN mother–child birth cohort study based in France (2003–2011) were followed from 24–28 weeks of pregnancy to their child's fifth birthday. Maternal depression trajectories were determined with a semi-parametric group-based modelling strategy. Sociodemographic, psychosocial and psychiatric predictors were explored for their association with trajectory class membership.ResultsFive trajectories of maternal symptoms of depression from pregnancy onwards were identified: no symptoms (60.2%); persistent intermediate-level depressive symptoms (25.2%); persistent high depressive symptoms (5.0%); high symptoms in pregnancy only (4.7%); high symptoms in the child's preschool period only (4.9%).Socio-demographic predictorsassociated with persistent depression were non-French origin;psychosocial predictorswere childhood adversities, life events during pregnancy and work overinvestment;psychiatric predictorswere previous mental health problems, psychological help, and high anxiety during pregnancy.ConclusionsPersistent depression in mothers of young children is associated to several risk factors present prior to or during pregnancy, notably anxiety. These characteristics precede depression trajectories and offer a possible entry point to enhance mother's mental health and reduce its burden on children.

scholarly journals Associations between self-reported changes in physical activities and sedentary behaviors and changes in mental health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Cillian McDowell ◽  
Mark Ward ◽  
Christine McGarrigle ◽  
Aisling O'Halloran ◽  
Sarah Gibney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Sedentary Behaviours ◽  
Do It Yourself

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and containment strategies employed to limit its spread have profoundly impacted daily life. Emerging evidence shows that mental health worsened compared to pre-pandemic trends. In this study, we examine associations of self-reported changes in physical activities and sedentary behaviors with mental health changes during the COVID-19 pandemic among older Irish adults. Methods: This study used data from Wave 5 (2018) and the COVID-19 study (July–November 2020) of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Depressive symptoms were measured using the 8-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; Perceived stress, using the 4‐item Perceived Stress Scale. Participants reported perceived changes in participation in physical activities and sedentary behaviours before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Linear regressions examined separate associations between changes in physical activities and sedentary behaviours and changes in perceived stress/depressive symptoms. Adjustment included demographics, body mass index, smoking, alcohol, chronic diseases and stress/depressive symptoms at Wave 5. Results: Among 2,645 participants (mean age, 68.2yrs; 56% female), 19.5% (95%CI: 18.2–20.9) reported clinically significant depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to before the pandemic, reduced and no exercise at home and walking were associated with increased depressive symptoms and stress. A reduction in home DIY (do it yourself) was also associated with both depression and stress while doing no DIY at all was associated with increased stress but not depressive symptoms (all p<.05). Reduced hobbies and reading were associated with higher depressive symptoms, and both reduced and increased screen time were associated with increased depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Greater decreases in mental health were seen among those who reported negative changes in their physical and sedentary activities. These findings have important implications for mental health care both as we transition back to normal life and for responses to future pandemics.

The association between depressive symptoms and neurocognitive impairment in people with well-treated HIV in Switzerland

2021 ◽  
pp. 095646242098743
Author(s):  
Galia Santos ◽  
Isabella Locatelli ◽  
Mélanie Métral ◽  
Alexandre Berney ◽  
Isaure Nadin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Neurocognitive Impairment ◽  
Depression Score ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
Neurocognitive Assessment ◽  
Score Threshold ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Background: Depression may contribute to neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in people with HIV (PWH). Attributing NCI to depression rather than to HIV is complicated as depression may be both a causal factor and an effect of NCI. This study aimed to determine the association between depressive symptoms and NCI among PWH with well-controlled infection. Methods: The Neurocognitive Assessment in the Metabolic and Ageing Cohort study is an ongoing, prospective, longitudinal study of PWH aged ≥45 years old nested within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study. Neurocognitive Assessment in the Metabolic and Ageing Cohort study participants underwent neurocognitive assessment and grading of depressive symptoms using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Neurocognitive impairment categories were defined using Frascati criteria. Participants with NCI related to neurological or psychiatric confounders other than depression were excluded. The cross-sectional association between the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression score and neurocognitive impairment was examined taking Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression score as a continuous variable and then as a binary variable using two score thresholds, 16 and 27. Results: Excluding 79 participants with confounding factors, 902 participants were studied: 81% were men; 96% had plasma viral loads <50 copies/ml; 35% had neurocognitive impairment; 28% had Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scores ≥16. Higher Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scores were associated with female sex ( p = 0.0003), non-Caucasian origin ( p = 0.011) and current/past intravenous drug use ( p = 0.002). Whilst neurocognitive impairment was associated with higher Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scores, the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression score was a poor predictor of having neurocognitive impairment (area under the ROC curve 0.604). Applying a Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression score threshold of 16 predicted the presence of neurocognitive impairment with a sensitivity of 38.3% (specificity 77.2%), increasing the threshold to 27 lowered sensitivity to 15.4% (specificity 93.6%). Conclusion: In this large cohort of PWH in Switzerland, we did not observe a Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression score threshold that was sensitive in predicting neurocognitive impairment. As neurocognitive impairment was however associated with higher Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scores, the data support the screening for and treatment of depression among PWH diagnosed with neurocognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Factors related to depression in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in two coastal regions of Peru: An analytical cross-sectional study

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 958
Author(s):  
Elena de Jesús Quispe Sáenz ◽  
José Fernando Salvador-Carrillo ◽  
ORIANA RIVERA-LOZADA ◽  
CESAR ANTONIO BONILLA ASALDE
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Exclusion Criterion ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Coastal Regions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Recreational Activities

Background: Mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and their aggravation have been studied extensively in the general population. However, there are few studies on depression in older adults and the few existing results may be contradictory, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with depression in older adults in two coastal regions of Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study uses an analytical cross-sectional design in a population of older adults, who participated in a non-governmental ambulatory social support program in Callao and Ica, two coastal regions of Peru. We administered an on-site structured questionnaire to record sociodemographic data, the Geriatric Depression Scale by Yesavage to measure depression, and the Barthel Index to assess physical function. In order to determine cognitive impairment as an exclusion criterion, the MEC-30 was used. The association between variables was assessed through contingency tables, using the odds ratio (OR) with its corresponding confidence interval (95% CI) and the X2 test. Finally, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Out of the 244 older adults surveyed, 39% had depressive symptoms, of which 28.3% (n=69) and 10.7% (n=26) were moderately and severely depressive, respectively. The findings significantly associated with the presence of depressive symptoms were being 76 years old or older [p=0.005, OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.29-4.20], not participating in weekly recreational activities [p=0.004, OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.31-3.99] and the presence of comorbidities [p=0.026, OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.07-3.29]. Conclusion: There are few studies exploring depression in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic; this research shows the importance of mental health care in this population and, particularly, of those who are 76 or older because they suffer from comorbid conditions and have interrupted recreational activities.

scholarly journals Associations of Depressive Symptoms with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality by Race in A Low-Socioeconomic Population: A Report from the Southern Community Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Cui ◽  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Mark Steinwandel ◽  
Hui Cai ◽  
Maureen Sanderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Specific Mortality

Abstract Depression is a leading cause of disability in the United States, but its impact on mortality among racially diverse, low-socioeconomic populations is largely unknown. Using data from the Southern Community Cohort Study, 2002-2015, we prospectively evaluated the associations of depressive symptoms with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in 67,781 black (72.3%) and white (27.7%) adults, predominantly with a low-socioeconomic status. Baseline depressive symptoms were assessed using the ten-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The median follow-up time was 10.0 years. Multivariate Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality in association with depressive symptoms. Mild/moderate/severe depressive symptoms were associated with increased all-cause (HR=1.12, 95%CI: 1.03-1.22; HR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.06-1.29; HR=1.15, 95%CI: 1.03-1.28, respectively) and cardiovascular disease mortality (HR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.05-1.44; HR=1.18, 95%CI: 0.98-1.42; HR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.17-1.75, respectively) in whites but not in blacks (Pinteraction&lt; 0.001, for both). Mild/moderate/severe depressive symptoms were associated with increased external cause mortality in both races (HR=1.24, 95%CI: 1.05-1.46; HR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.06-1.61; HR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.11-1.81, respectively; for all subjects, Pinteraction=0.48). No association was observed for cancer mortality. Our study showed that depression-mortality associations differed by race and cause of death in individuals with a low-socioeconomic status.

scholarly journals Poorer mental health and sleep quality are associated with greater self-reported reward-related eating during pregnancy and postpartum: an observational cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace M. Betts ◽  
Leah M. Lipsky ◽  
Chelsie D. Temmen ◽  
Anna Maria Siega-Riz ◽  
Myles S. Faith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Observational Cohort Study ◽  
Pregnancy And Postpartum ◽  
Hedonic Hunger ◽  
Observational Cohort

Abstract Background Depression, stress, and poor-quality sleep are common during pregnancy and postpartum, but the relationship of these factors with reward-related eating is not well understood. This observational cohort study examines associations of depression, stress, and sleep quality with self-reported reward-related eating in pregnancy and postpartum. Methods Participants were enrolled at < 12 weeks gestation and followed through 1 year postpartum. Self-reported measures obtained at baseline and 23–31 weeks postpartum included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; reward-related eating measures included the Power of Food Scale (assessing hedonic hunger), modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (assessing addictive-like eating), and frequency and intensity of cravings. Linear and logistic regression models estimated associations of depressive symptoms, stress, and sleep quality with reward-related eating during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as change in each predictor with change in outcome. Results During pregnancy, greater depressive symptoms (β ± SE = 0.03 ± 0.01, p < .01), higher stress (0.03 ± 0.01, p < .01), and worse sleep quality (0.03 ± 0.01, p = 0.03) were associated with greater hedonic hunger. Similarly, greater depressive symptoms (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.14, p = .01), higher stress (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.14, p = <.01), and worse sleep quality (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.18, p = .04) were associated with greater odds of addictive-like eating. These associations were also significant in postpartum except that sleep quality was not associated with hedonic hunger. Greater depressive symptoms (β ± SE = 0.06 ± 0.02, p < .01; 0.08 ± 0.02, p = <.01), higher stress (0.04 ± 0.01, p < .01; 0.06 ± 0.02, p < .01), and worse sleep quality (0.11 ± 0.03, p < .01; 0.13 ± 0.03, p < .01) during pregnancy were associated with stronger and more frequent cravings, respectively. Increased depressive symptoms from pregnancy to postpartum was associated with increased hedonic hunger (β ± SE = 1.17 ± 0.57, p = 0.01) and addictive-like eating (0.88 ± 0.33, p = 0.01), and increased stress was associated with increased hedonic hunger (1.71 ± 0.76, p = 0.02). Change in stress was not associated with change in addictive-like eating and change in sleep quality was not associated with change in either hedonic hunger or addictive-like eating. Conclusions Greater depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and poorer sleep quality are associated with greater self-reported reward-related eating during pregnancy and postpartum, suggesting that efforts to improve diet during and after pregnancy may benefit from addressing mental health and sleep. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov Registration ID – NCT02217462. Date of registration – August 13, 2014

The association between social network relationships and depressive symptoms among older Americans: what matters most?

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 930-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard Litwin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Perceived Quality ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Network Type

ABSTRACTBackground: Although social network relationships are linked to mental health in late life, it is still unclear whether it is the structure of social networks or their perceived quality that matters.Methods: The current study regressed a dichotomous 8-item version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-8) score on measures of social network relationships among Americans, aged 65–85 years, from the first wave of the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project. The network indicators included a structural variable – social network type – and a series of relationship quality indicators: perceived positive and negative ties with family, friends and spouse/ partner. Multivariate logistic regression analyses controlled for age, gender, education, income, race/ethnicity, religious affiliation, functional health and physical health.Results: The perceived social network quality variables were unrelated to the presence of a high level of depressive symptoms, but social network type maintained an association with this mental health outcome even after controlling for confounders. Respondents embedded in resourceful social network types in terms of social capital – “diverse,” “friend” and “congregant” networks – reported less presence of depressive symptoms, to varying degrees.Conclusions: The results show that the structure of the network seems to matter more than the perceived quality of the ties as an indicator of depressive symptoms. Moreover, the composite network type variable stands out in capturing the differences in mental state. The construct of network type should be incorporated in mental health screening among older people who reside in the community. One's social network type can be an important initial indicator that one is at risk.

scholarly journals Pre-conception self-harm, maternal mental health and mother–infant bonding problems: a 20-year prospective cohort study

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (16) ◽  
pp. 2727-2735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan Borschmann ◽  
Emma Molyneaux ◽  
Elizabeth Spry ◽  
Paul Moran ◽  
Louise M. Howard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Perinatal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Health Cohort Study

AbstractBackgroundSelf-harm in young people is associated with later problems in social and emotional development. However, it is unknown whether self-harm in young women continues to be a marker of vulnerability on becoming a parent. This study prospectively describes the associations between pre-conception self-harm, maternal depressive symptoms and mother–infant bonding problems.MethodsThe Victorian Intergenerational Health Cohort Study (VIHCS) is a follow-up to the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study (VAHCS) in Australia. Socio-demographic and health variables were assessed at 10 time-points (waves) from ages 14 to 35, including self-reported self-harm at waves 3–9. VIHCS enrolment began in 2006 (when participants were aged 28–29 years), by contacting VAHCS women every 6 months to identify pregnancies over a 7-year period. Perinatal depressive symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale during the third trimester, and 2 and 12 months postpartum. Mother–infant bonding problems were assessed with the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire at 2 and 12 months postpartum.ResultsFive hundred sixty-four pregnancies from 384 women were included. One in 10 women (9.7%) reported pre-conception self-harm. Women who reported self-harming in young adulthood (ages 20–29) reported higher levels of perinatal depressive symptoms and mother–infant bonding problems at all perinatal time points [perinatal depressive symptoms adjusted β = 5.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.42–7.39; mother–infant bonding problems adjusted β = 7.51, 95% CI 3.09–11.92]. There was no evidence that self-harm in adolescence (ages 15–17) was associated with either perinatal outcome.ConclusionsSelf-harm during young adulthood may be an indicator of future vulnerability to perinatal mental health and mother–infant bonding problems.

scholarly journals Systemic inflammation and emotional responses during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Odessa S. Hamilton ◽  
Dorina Cadar ◽  
Andrew Steptoe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Systemic Inflammation ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Short Version ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on population mental health is of global concern. Inflammatory processes are thought to contribute to mental ill-health, but their role in experiences of psychological distress during the pandemic has not been investigated. We tested the hypothesis that elevated inflammatory biomarkers (high-sensitivity plasma C-reactive protein [CRP] and plasma fibrinogen) measured pre-pandemic would be positively predictive of increased depressive symptoms experienced during the pandemic. Data were analysed from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), with 3574 individuals aged >50 for CRP and 3314 for fibrinogen measured in waves 8 (2016/17) or 9 (2018/19). Depressive symptoms were measured with a short version of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) pre-pandemic (2016–2019) and during the pandemic (June/July 2020). Participants with higher baseline CRP concentrations had 40% higher odds of developing depressive symptoms during the pandemic (ORadjusted = 1.40, 95% CI 1.12–1.73, p = 0.003) after full adjustment. Fibrinogen concentrations were also associated with depressive symptoms during the pandemic (ORadjusted = 1.23, 95% CI 1.04–1.46, p = 0.019), but this association was no longer significant after controlling for lifestyle factors (smoking status, alcohol consumption and physical activity). In this large population study, systemic inflammation measured 1–3 years pre-pandemic was associated with greater depressed mood during the early months of the pandemic. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that higher levels of inflammation increase the vulnerability of older people to impaired mental health in the presence of the widespread stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Is neighbourhood income inequality associated with maternal mental health? A longitudinal analysis of pregnant and new mothers living in Calgary, Alberta

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e049220
Author(s):  
Samuel AJ Lowe ◽  
Sheila McDonald ◽  
Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan ◽  
Candace IJ Nykiforuk ◽  
Radha Chari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
New Mothers ◽  
Neighbourhood Level ◽  
Symptom Scores ◽  
Over Time

ObjectivesRising income inequality is a potential risk factor for poor mental health, however, little work has investigated this link among mothers. Our goal was to determine if neighbourhood-level income inequality was associated with maternal mental health over time.DesignSecondary data analysis using a retrospective cohort study design.Setting and participantsData from the All Our Families (AOF) ongoing cohort study in the city of Calgary (Canada) were used, with our sample including 2461 mothers. Participant data were collected at six time points from 2008 to 2014, corresponding to <25 weeks of pregnancy to 3 years post partum. AOF mothers were linked to 196 geographically defined Calgary neighbourhoods using postal code information and 2006 Canada Census data.Main outcome measuresAnxiety symptoms measured using the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory, and depressive symptoms measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale.ResultsMultilevel regression modelling was used to quantify the associations between neighbourhood-level income inequality and continuous mental health symptoms over time. For anxiety symptoms, the interaction term between neighbourhood Gini and time was significant (β=0.0017, 95% CI=0.00049 to 0.0028, p=0.005), indicating an excess rate of change over time. Specifically, a SD increase in Gini (Z-score) was associated with an average monthly rate increase in anxiety symptom scores of 1.001% per month. While depressive symptom scores followed similar longitudinal trajectories across levels of income inequality, we did not find significant evidence for an association between inequality and depressive symptoms. There was no evidence of a cross-level interaction between inequality and household income on either outcome.ConclusionIncome inequality within neighbourhoods appears to adversely impact the mental health trajectories of pregnant and new mothers. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms that explain this relationship, and how interventions to reduce income inequality could benefit mental health.

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