Trajectories and determinants of depressive symptoms among Korean employed women with young children

Background: This study examined the trajectory groups of maternal depressive symptoms of Korean employed women with young children and the association between trajectory group membership and personal, family, social and sociodemographic factors. Method: This study used Nagin’s semi-parametric, group-based modeling to analyze 2008 (Wave 1) to 2012 data (Wave 5) from the Panel Study on Korean Children, a nationally representative sample of children. Results: Four distinct trajectory groups were identified, namely, a non-depressive symptoms group, increasing subclinical depressive symptoms group, stable moderate depressive symptoms group and severe depressive symptoms group. Results showed that self-esteem, parental stress, child care cooperation of husband, marital satisfaction and social support affected the likelihood of membership in the four depressive symptoms groups. Conclusion: Prevention or intervention toward trajectory groups requires integrative approaches that target various factors across multiple contexts.