Study One:
Purpose. Identify differences in child mental health factors, perceived neighborhood safety, and child health care access by demographic characteristics. Methods. Secondary data analysis of the 2017 Interact for Health Child Well Being Survey. Primary caregivers (n = 2,757) responded to questions about children. A random-digit dial structured questionnaire was utilized. Results. Caregivers reported that less than two-in-ten children (14.5%, n = 398) had good emotional health, 4.1% (n = 112) had depression, and 9.1% (n = 250) anxiety. Depression was higher among White, female, and 11-17 years, and African American children below 100% FPL. White children, age 11-17 years were diagnosed with anxiety more than African American or Other. Most caregivers felt their child was always safe (62.5%, n = 1,719) with 1.0% (n = 27) feeling their child was never-safe in their neighborhood. Caregiver’s reported 98.5% (n = 2,705) had health insurance, 98.8% (n = 2,723) had a medical home, 88.3% (n = 2,426) received preventive care services while 11.7% (n = 322) did not. Statistical analyses revealed several differences. Conclusions. White, suburban, higher income, or children from married families received diagnosis and treatment for depression and anxiety more than low income, urban, or minority children found to have lower mental health scores. Increased screening for mental health disorders among vulnerable populations needs to be addressed as a priority.
Study Two:
Purpose. Identify differences in child caregiver physical health status, mental health status, level of parent emotional support, and perceived levels of neighborhood safety. Methods. Data (n = 2,757) from the 2017 Child Well Being Survey were utilized. Results. Nearly 7 in 10 caregivers reported their physical health as very good or good (68.1%, n = 1,878). A majority of caregivers reported their mental health as very good or good (62.2%, n = 1,707) and 93.3% (n = 2,571) had someone to provide day-to-day parenting emotional support. A majority of caregivers reported neighborhood safety as always or usually safe (93.9%, n = 2,587). Caregivers who were 65 or older, female, African American, unmarried, unemployed, high school graduates (or lower), a guardian or other relation to the child, lived in a 1-adult household, below 200% FPL, or in urban or rural areas; had lower physical health and mental health status scores. Neighborhood safety was reported less among caregivers who were unmarried, female, African American, Hispanic, high school graduates (or less), in single-adult households, below 200% FPL, or in urban settings. Parenting emotional support was lower among those ages 45-65, African American, Hispanic, not married, not employed, less than high school education, in 1 or 3+ adult households, or living below 200% FLP. Conclusions. Increased levels of perceived parenting socio-emotional support appeared to positively influence caregiver physical and mental health outcomes and perceived neighborhood safety. Additionally, results support efforts to address support as a mediator of caregiver mental and physical health, especially among low-income, urban, and minority caregivers at risk for adverse outcomes.