Educational aspiration mismatch and depressive symptomatology among Taiwanese mother-child dyads

Abstract

Background: International studies emphasize the importance of depression for women and adolescents. Yet few researchers have used family-based surveys to explore depressive symptomatology of mother-adolescent dyads, and less is known about this aspect in Asian community where education is highly valued. The present study builds upon an inter-generational framework by investigating the effect of educational aspiration mismatch on depressive symptomatology in mother-child dyads. Methods: A total of 1108 Taiwanese mother-child dyads were surveyed when the child was 13 years old, and followed up to two years later. Depressive symptomatology is measured by Symptom Checklist-90 Revised for both mother and child. Comparisons of mother and child's educational aspiration are categorized into three groups: mothers' aspirations are equal to, lower, or higher than their children. Results: Results from multivariate logistic regression shows that, when mother's education aspiration is higher than that of her child, both mother and child have lowered risks of being depressed (mothers: AOR = 0.60, p < 0.1; children: AOR= 0.42, p < 0.05). On the other hand, children whose mothers' educational level are higher (senior /vocational high school: AOR =1.42, p < 0.1; college and above: AOR =1.81, p < 0.01) and whose mothers emphasize academic achievement (AOR =1.77, p < 0.1) are at greater risks than those without. Discussions: The results point to the protective role of mother's higher level of education aspiration than the child, although mothers who emphasize academic achievement seem to increase children's depressive symptomatology. Future interventions that aim to promote mental health of adolescents and parents should take the value attributed to education, and the comparison between parental and children's self-aspirations into consideration. Key messages: Mother and her child lower risks of being depressed when mother's educational aspiration is higher than that of her child's. Child increases risks of being depressed when his/her mother emphasizes academic achievement.