Improving Preschool Outcomes by Addressing Maternal Depression in Head Start

The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (QIDS) will be used to assess the incidence of moderate to severe depressive symptom episodes, as defined by a QIDS score ≥ 11. The QIDS is a 16 item self-administered instrument with potential responses for each item of 0 to 3. Higher scores are associated with greater depressive symptoms.

The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms will be used to assess depressive symptoms. The QIDS is a 16 item self-administered instrument with potential responses for each item of 0 to 3. Higher scores are associated with greater depressive symptoms. The mean QIDS scores will be calculated for the baseline and each follow up period.

The investigators have adapted the services section of the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys, operationalized into engagement with care. This will be defined as ≥ 1 visit for psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy with a behavioral health specialist (social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse); or a prescription for psychiatric medication from any medical practitioner.

The investigators have adapted the services section of the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys, operationalized into retention in care. This will be defined as ≥ 4 visit for psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy with a behavioral health specialist (social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse); or a prescription for psychiatric medication from any medical practitioner.

The investigators have adapted the services section of the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys, operationalized into evidence-based care reflecting either psychotherapy or antidepressant medication.

The investigators have adapted the services section of the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys, operationalized into primary care-based services.

The Individual Burden of Illness Index for Depression (IBI-D) is a valid and reliable quality of life (QoL) scale, calculated as a composite of the QIDS, the QoL Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale

Head Start centers will furnish us with monthly absentee rates for all families that provide explicit permission. These will be analyzed as count data against day of eligible attendance.

This valid and reliable scale will be filled out by Head Start teachers. It measures emotional reactivity, anxiety/depression, somatic complaints, emotional withdrawal, attention problems, and aggressive behavior.

This valid and reliable scale will be filled out by Head Start teachers. It assesses social skills and problem behaviors for children at risk of interpersonal difficulties.

This scale assesses 85 foundational concepts, including colors, letters, numbers, size/ comparison, and shapes. Assess effect of intervention on child cognitive functioning and school readiness.

Assess with The Perceived Stress Scale, domains of which include unpredictability, lack of control, burden overload, and stressful circumstances.

Assess with The Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) includes four affective and functional dimensions: activation, avoidance/rumination, work/school impairment, and social impairment.

Assess with The Brief COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems) which measures 14 different adaptive and problematic coping styles. Will also use problem-focused and avoidant subscales.

Assess with The Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (4th Edition).

Assess with The 80-item Conflicts and Problem-Solving Scale. Likert scales rate aspects of family conflict known to affect children: 1) number of major and minor conflicts in the past year; 2) family disagreement in 21 areas; 3) frequency of 13 conflict resolution strategies; 4) frequency of 44 conflict tactics.