A Causal Relation of Employment and Depression among Low-Income Young Mothers in New Chance Demonstration Study

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association 2003;41(7):169-184.

저소득층 여성의 취업과 우울 증세간의 인과관계 연구: 미국의 New Chance Demonstration Study 참여자를 대상으로

진미정

시카고대학 채이픈홀 아동연구소

ABSTRACT

This study examined a causal relation between employment and depression among low-income young mothers who participated in New Chance Demonstration Study(NC). Using baseline and first follow-up interview data from NC study, this study selected 756 young mothers who were at risk of depression and unemployed at baseline. About 18% of them were employed and 45% of them were no longer at risk of depression at the first follow-up interview. The young mothers grade level and their race/ethnicity were significantly related to the number of weeks employed between the two time points and employment at the 1st follow-up interview. It was also found that employment was negatively associated with depression at the 1st follow-up interview. These findings imply that employment can ameliorate depressive symptoms of low-income young mothers.

Keywords: 저소득층, low-income, 취업, employment, 우울 증세, depression