Abstract
School-based depression screening and education programs are recommended for addressing the high rates of children’s mental
illness. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify Minnesota parent attitudes regarding the provision of school-based
depression and suicide screening and education and (2) identify predictors of parent support for these school-based programs.
A random sample of 1,300 Minnesota households with children ages 5–18 years was surveyed by mail. Chi-square tests and regression
analyses were used to detect differences in parent support for depression and suicide screening and education across demographic
categories, and parent beliefs and knowledge about depression and suicide. The response rate of eligible households was 43 %
(N = 511). Overall, 84–89 % of parents supported school-based depression and suicide screening and education. After adjusting
for all variables, parent support for depression screening was associated with greater knowledge [OR 8.48, CI(1.30–55.21)]
and fewer stigmatizing beliefs [OR 0.03, CI(0.01–0.12)]. Support for suicide screening was associated with fewer stigmatizing
beliefs [OR 0.03, CI(0.01-0.10)]. Support for depression education was associated with fewer stigmatizing beliefs [OR 0.32,
CI(0.10–1.00)] and lower educational attainment [OR 0.59, CI(0.40–0.89)]. Support for suicide education was associated with
greater knowledge [OR 7.99, CI(1.02–62.68)], fewer stigmatizing beliefs [OR 0.26, CI(0.07–0.92)], and lower educational attainment
[OR 0.60, CI(0.38–0.94)]. Parent support for school-based depression and suicide screening and education was high. Parent
education to decrease stigmatizing beliefs and increase knowledge about depression and suicide may increase support among
the minority of parents who do not endorse such programs.
illness. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify Minnesota parent attitudes regarding the provision of school-based
depression and suicide screening and education and (2) identify predictors of parent support for these school-based programs.
A random sample of 1,300 Minnesota households with children ages 5–18 years was surveyed by mail. Chi-square tests and regression
analyses were used to detect differences in parent support for depression and suicide screening and education across demographic
categories, and parent beliefs and knowledge about depression and suicide. The response rate of eligible households was 43 %
(N = 511). Overall, 84–89 % of parents supported school-based depression and suicide screening and education. After adjusting
for all variables, parent support for depression screening was associated with greater knowledge [OR 8.48, CI(1.30–55.21)]
and fewer stigmatizing beliefs [OR 0.03, CI(0.01–0.12)]. Support for suicide screening was associated with fewer stigmatizing
beliefs [OR 0.03, CI(0.01-0.10)]. Support for depression education was associated with fewer stigmatizing beliefs [OR 0.32,
CI(0.10–1.00)] and lower educational attainment [OR 0.59, CI(0.40–0.89)]. Support for suicide education was associated with
greater knowledge [OR 7.99, CI(1.02–62.68)], fewer stigmatizing beliefs [OR 0.26, CI(0.07–0.92)], and lower educational attainment
[OR 0.60, CI(0.38–0.94)]. Parent support for school-based depression and suicide screening and education was high. Parent
education to decrease stigmatizing beliefs and increase knowledge about depression and suicide may increase support among
the minority of parents who do not endorse such programs.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-1017-8
- Authors
- Claudia K. Fox, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Avenue, 6th floor, east building, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
- Marla E. Eisenberg, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St. SE, 3rd floor, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Barbara J. McMorris, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Sandra L. Pettingell, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Iris W. Borowsky, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St. SE, 3rd floor, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875