CGPH FACULTY: Emily Ozer, Lia Fernald
DATE OF PUBLICATION: July 2011
REGION: Latin America
REFERENCE: Ozer EJ, Fernald LC, Weber A, Flynn EP, VanderWeele TJ. Does alleviating poverty affect mothers’ depressive symptoms? A quasi-experimental investigation of Mexico’s Oportunidades programme.Int J Epidemiol. 2011 Dec;40(6):1565-76. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyr103. Epub 2011 Jul 7.
SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: ”
Depression is a major cause of disability, particularly among women; poverty heightens the risk for depression. Beyond its direct effects, maternal depression can harm children’s health and development. This study aimed to assess the effects of a large-scale anti-poverty programme in Mexico (Oportunidades) on maternal depressive symptoms.Although Oportunidades did not target maternal mental health directly, we found modest but clinically meaningful effects on depressive symptoms. Our design permits stronger causal inference than observational studies that have linked poverty and depressive symptoms. Our results emphasize that the well-being of individuals is responsive to macro-level economic policies and programmes.”
ACCESS: Link to Pubmed