title: Methamphetamine-using parents: the relationship between parental role strain and depressive symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The methamphetamine epidemic in the United States involves a large number of men and women with dependent-age children. However, we know little about the parenting strains experienced by methamphetamine-using mothers and fathers and the relationship of these parenting strains to mental health outcomes, specifically depressive symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary goal of this study was to examine five dimensions of parental role strain in relation to depressive symptoms in a sample of 180 methamphetamine-using parents of dependent-age children in San Diego, CA. Dimensions of parental role strain included child emotional and behavioral problems, child physical health problems, child-related financial strain, interpersonal conflict involving children, and intrapsychic strain related to children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methamphetamineusing mothers reported significantly more child-related emotional and behavioral problems compared with methamphetamine-using fathers (7.9 vs. 6.8; t = 2.5, p < .05). In multiple regression analysis, higher Beck depression scores were associated with being a mother (β = .186, p < .05), having more children younger than 18 years old (β = .165, p < .05), less emotional support (β = -.230, p < .01), and higher scores on intrapsychic parental role strain related to children (β = .288, p < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest the importance of considering the multidimensional nature of parenting strain in the development of drug treatment and counseling programs for methamphetamine-using parents.
authors: Department of Psychiatry (0680), University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0680, USA.
authors: Shirley J
authors: SJ
authors: Semple
authors: Steffanie A
authors: SA
authors: Strathdee
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: Zians
authors: Thomas L
authors: TL
authors: Patterson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine