Treatment of Maternal Depression and the Impact on Children’s Mental Health and Use of and Expenditures for Healthcare

Principal Investigator: Whitney Witt

(Funded by the Ambulatory Pediatric Association Young Investigators Grant Program)
Dr. Whitney Witt is leading a series of studies that examine the role of treatment for maternal depression and the subsequent effect on children’s mental health outcomes and use of and expenditures for healthcare. Maternal depression results in adverse health and mental health outcomes among children and is hypothesized to be associated with children’s increased use of and payments for healthcare. Primary health and mental healthcare systems have the potential to meet the psychosocial needs of family members and may reduce children’s over-utilization of healthcare. Therefore, this study will also look at the mothers’ receipt of mental healthcare and how such services impact children’s mental health outcomes and the use of general health services.