CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEPRESSION IN LATINA MOTHERS WITH AND WITHOUT CHILDREN WITH RETARDATION - IMPLICATIONS FOR CAREGIVING

Contributions to depression in 148 Latina mothers with and 101 without children with mental retardation were investigated. Depressive sympto matology was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depre ssion scale (CES-D) (Radloff, 1977). Depression was elevated in both L atina samples relative to a normative group. Furthermore, Latina mothe rs who had children with mental retardation showed significantly highe r levels of depressive symptomatology relative to controls. Depression was predicted by low family cohesion, poor health of the mother, abse nce of spouse or partner, less use of passive appraisal as a coping st rategy, and presence of a child with mental retardation.