# Physical Activity and Depression in Mothers of a Child With a Special Health Care Need: Informing Future Interventions

## TL;DR

Mothers of children with special health care needs often experience depression and are interested in using physical activity to cope, but face challenges in maintaining activity levels.

## Contribution

The study identifies the interest and barriers of physical activity among these mothers, informing future targeted interventions.

## Key findings

- Most mothers failed to meet physical activity guidelines during and after pregnancy.
- 85% of mothers expressed interest in using physical activity and yoga to cope with depressive symptoms.
- Physical activity is viewed as a way to improve health and meet caregiving demands, but not enough to reduce depression.

## Abstract

Approximately one in five children in the United States has a special health care need. Mothers of children with special health care needs have worse mental and physical health compared to other mothers. Physical activity (PA) can improve depressive symptoms (DS) and overall health; however, little is known about the acceptability of PA interventions in these mothers. Therefore, the primary aim of this cross‐sectional study was to understand the use of PA in mothers of a child with a special health care need to cope with DS. Specifically, this study examined PA norms, interests, and rationale for participation PA in 348 mothers (age = 39.3 ± 7.3 years; White = 92%; Midwest = 80.1%; employed = 59.2%; prenatal or at birth diagnosis = 51.7%). Most mothers reported meeting PA guidelines before pregnancy but not during pregnancy, postpartum, and currently, and a majority reported elevated DS. Most mothers (85%) of expressed interest in using PA and yoga to cope with DS. The majority of mothers’ viewed PA as a means to increase health and fitness to meet the needs of their children, though they failed to meet the levels of PA associated with DS reduction. Future initiatives should consider population‐specific PA norms, interests, and rationales to increase the salience of meeting PA recommendations in this population.

Mothers of children with special health care needs are more prone to depression and anxiety compared to mothers of typically developing children. Overall, 85% of respondents expressed interest in physical activity as a method for coping. Targeted interventions should accommodate caregiving responsibilities.