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Citation

Pitchik, Helen O.; Chung, Esther O.; & Fernald, Lia C. H. (2020). Cross-Cultural Research on Child Development and Maternal Mental Health in Low-and Middle-Income Countries. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 36, 90-97. PMCID: PMC7665078

Abstract

Of the more than 2 billion children worldwide, 90% live in low- or middle-income countries, and are particularly vulnerable to early life exposures and experiences. A wide range of factors contribute to maternal and child well-being, including maternal depression as well as larger social determinants such as poverty. In this review, we provide a framework for conceptualizing interventions that can benefit vulnerable children and caregivers. We summarize effects of three types of interventions, including those that: target mothers to improve their mental health and may have indirect effects on children; target children directly through early child development programs and may provide indirect benefits to caregivers; and target broader social determinants of health (e.g. poverty, water and sanitation), which then may have indirect benefits for caregivers and children.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2020.07.013

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2020

Journal Title

Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences

Author(s)

Pitchik, Helen O.
Chung, Esther O.
Fernald, Lia C. H.

Article Type

Regular

PMCID

PMC7665078

Continent/Country

LMICs

ORCiD

Chung, E - 0000-0002-2866-949X