Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
07:30
Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents
Published on: June 10, 2013
Testing a bioecological model to examine social support in postpartum adolescents
M Cynthia Logsdon1, Craig Ziegler, Paige Hertweck
1School of Nursing, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. McLogsdon01@gwise.louisville.edu
Summary
Social support context impacts postpartum adolescent depression. Perceived stress was the strongest predictor, with 37% experiencing depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for interventions and screening.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Adolescent Health
- Mental Health
Background:
- Postpartum adolescents face unique challenges impacting mental well-being.
- Social support is crucial but its contextual factors require further examination.
- Understanding the bioecological model can illuminate social support dynamics in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine a bioecological model for describing social support in postpartum adolescents.
- To determine the relationship between the context of social support and depressive symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with 85 postpartum adolescents (4-6 weeks).
- Data collected via home visits using self-report instruments measuring social support across macro, meso, and microsystems.
- Assessed demographics, community violence, social network, perceived stress, mastery, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms (CES-D Scale).
Main Results:
- Variables from all social support systems predicted depressive symptoms.
- Perceived stress emerged as the strongest predictor of depression.
- 37% of postpartum adolescents exhibited significant depressive symptoms; many reported exposure to violence.
Conclusions:
- The context of social support is vital for understanding postpartum adolescent mental health.
- Interventions should foster self-esteem and mastery in postpartum adolescents.
- Routine screening for depressive symptoms is recommended in healthcare settings.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
01:28Relationship with Parents: Attachment
Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...