Youth Depression After an Environmental Disaster: Is There a Relationship to Caregiver Stress and Depression?
Jacqueline Dannis, Sarah Jenuwine, Kenyetta Dotson, Nicole Jones

TL;DR
This study examines how depression in young girls and their caregivers is linked after the Flint water crisis, finding higher depression rates in Flint girls compared to national averages.
Contribution
The study provides new insights into the relationship between caregiver mental health and child depression following an environmental disaster.
Findings
Flint girls showed higher depression rates than national norms at both baseline and follow-up.
Child depression symptoms were significantly correlated with caregiver depression and stress.
Baseline child and caregiver mental health predicted child depression at follow-up.
Abstract
In the United States, female youth have been experiencing high levels of mental health challenges, including depression. Many factors increase the risk of developing mental health issues, including exposure to traumatic events, like the Flint water crisis. To better understand this connection, this study aims to answer the question: How do depression symptoms in this Flint Registry sample of girls compare with national norms and how are child depression symptoms related to parental/caregiver depression symptoms and perceived stress? The cohort included 539 girls, ages 6–17, and their parents who were Flint residents and had completed a baseline survey for their child and themselves during 2019–2021 and a follow‐up survey (2020–2022). The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC‐3) measured child depression symptoms; the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro‐QoL)…
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Taxonomy
TopicsResilience and Mental Health · Health, psychology, and well-being · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
