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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Postpartum depression symptoms in newcomers.
Donna E Stewart1, Anita Gagnon, Jean-Francois Saucier
1University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital, Ontario. donna.stewart@uhn.on.ca
Summary
Newcomer mothers, including refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers, experience significantly higher rates of postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms compared to Canadian-born women. Lower social support was also noted in newcomer mothers with PPD.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal mental health
- Sociology of health
- Public health
Background:
- Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant concern affecting maternal well-being.
- Understanding disparities in PPD prevalence among diverse populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms in newcomer mothers (refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers) compared to Canadian-born mothers.
- To identify factors associated with PPD in these populations.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving questionnaires administered to refugee, nonrefugee immigrant, asylum-seeking, and Canadian-born new mothers.
- Utilized the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to identify PPD symptoms (score >= 10).
- Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk factors for PPD.
Main Results:
- Newcomer mothers showed significantly higher PPD rates: immigrants (35.1%), asylum seekers (31.1%), and refugees (25.7%) versus Canadian-born (8.1%).
- Logistic regression indicated increased PPD risk for refugee (OR 4.80), immigrant (OR 4.58), and asylum-seeking (OR 3.06) women.
- Lower social support was associated with higher EPDS scores in newcomer mothers.
Conclusions:
- Newcomer mothers face a substantially increased risk of postpartum depression symptoms.
- There is a need to develop and test social support interventions to prevent and manage PPD in this vulnerable group.
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