Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected during in-home interviews with a volunteer sample of 205 single mothers in 2000-2002. The women had at least one child between the ages of two and six and were at or below 185% of poverty level. Data were collected on multiple dimensions of health status ( SF-36) and on potential correlates of these dimensions including the mothers’ chronic stressors (Everyday Stressors Index), negative thinking (Crandell Cognitions Inventory), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale), and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory). Data analysis was conducted using correlation and multiple regression.

Findings: Poorer health status across all dimensions was associated with higher everyday stressors, greater negative thinking, lower self-esteem, and more depressive symptoms. For example, greater physical role limitations were associated with more chronic stressors (r = .42, p < .0001), negative thinking (r = .41, p < .0001), and depressive symptoms (r = .49, p < .0001 for the BDI; r = .46, p < .0001 for the CES-D) and lower self-esteem (r = -.38, p < .0001).

Conclusions: Using a multidimensional approach to the measurement of health status, the various dimensions were moderately to strongly correlated with indicators of maternal mental health. Greater attention to the potential adverse effects of mental health on other dimensions of health status may be warranted, particularly in primary care settings.

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