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Abstract

Using secondary data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Survey of New Parents, this study explores the association between religion and depression in a nationwide sample of mothers with young children who were referred to Child Protective Services (N=344). The findings suggest that, when controlling for other contextual factors, mothers who viewed their religious faith as a guide for their daily lives were more than three times as likely to have experienced depression within the last year. Additionally, mothers who attended religious services a few times a month were significantly less likely to experience depression than mothers who reported that they never attend. Limitations of the study and practical implications for child welfare agencies are discussed.

Key Take Away Points

  • Mothers who viewed their religious faith as a guide for their daily lives were more than three times as likely to meet the criteria for depression within the last year.
  • Mothers who attended religious services a few times a month were significantly less likely to experience depression than mothers who reported that they never attend.

Author Biography

Elissa E. Madden is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Arlington

Donna Aguiniga is an assistant professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage

Karen T. Zellmann is an associate professor at Western Illinois University

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) through grants R01HD36916, R01HD39135, and R01HD40421, as well as a consortium of private foundations for their support of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study.

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