Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
Experience of a controlling or threatening partner among mothers with persistent symptoms of depression
Margaret H Blabey1, Emily R Locke, Yvonne W Goldsmith
1Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Unit, Section of Women's, Children's, and Family Health, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services, State of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
Objective:
We evaluated the prevalence of symptoms of maternal depression (SMD) that continue beyond the postpartum period and the association between persistent SMD and reporting a controlling or threatening partner.
Study Design:
We combined data from a survey of mothers 2-6 months after delivery and its 2-year follow-up survey and analyzed the responses of 444 women who responded to both surveys. We focused on exposure to a controlling partner because this was the sole factor that was associated with persistent SMD in preliminary analysis.
Results:
Postpartum SMD was reported by 23% of the women. Among these women, 46% also reported SMD 2 years later. In bivariate analysis, a controlling partner was associated with persistent SMD (odds ratio, 6.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-31.8; P = .014).
Conclusion:
Almost one-half of women with postpartum SMD continue to have symptoms 2 years later. Further research is needed to measure the strength of the association between controlling partners and persistent depression.
Related Concept Videos
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
Jealousy in Romantic Relationships
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Bullying
Personality Disorders: Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle with...
Stereotype Threat and Self-fulfilling Prophecies

