Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

863
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
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...
863
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

1.2K
Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
1.2K
Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

1.2K
Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the...
1.2K
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

1.3K
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
1.3K
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia01:27

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

1.1K
Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
1.1K
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

1.9K
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
1.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Return-to-Work Coordinators' Perceptions of Their Roles Relative to Workers: A Discourse Analysis.

Journal of occupational rehabilitation·2024
Same author

Systematic Review of the Impact on Return to Work of Return-to-Work Coordinators.

Journal of occupational rehabilitation·2021
Same author

Return to Work for Mental Ill-Health: A Scoping Review Exploring the Impact and Role of Return-to-Work Coordinators.

Journal of occupational rehabilitation·2020
Same author

Common amino acid sequence domains among the LEA proteins of higher plants.

Plant molecular biology·2013
Same author

Enhancing patient-based learning: introducing STRAC and the reflective history template.

Rural and remote health·2005
Same author

Sarcoidosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine: imaging findings with an emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging.

Australasian radiology·2004
Same journal

Proximity Contacts and Self-perceived Vulnerability to Diseases Among High School Students - A Preliminary Study.

Human nature (Hawthorne, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Sex Biases in Patterns of Parental Investment.

Human nature (Hawthorne, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

The Evolutionary-Ecological Basis of Xenophilia.

Human nature (Hawthorne, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Living on the Edge: Investigating Experiences of Poverty Through the Lens of the Desperation Threshold Model.

Human nature (Hawthorne, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Correction: Deconstructing Kinsey's Scale: Digit Ratio Correlates Negatively with Gynephilia and Positively with Androphilia in Both Sexes.

Human nature (Hawthorne, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Testosterone Changes in Couples in Response to a Caregiving Task with an Infant Simulator.

Human nature (Hawthorne, N.Y.)·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
06:39

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

3.9K

The evolutionary context of postnatal depression.

M Crouch1

  • 1School of Sociology, The University of New South Wales, 2052, Sydney, Australia. m.crouch@unsw.edu.au.

Human Nature (Hawthorne, N.Y.)
|July 22, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Postnatal depression may be an evolved adaptive response to solicit support when maternal responsiveness is threatened. In modern society, this response becomes dysfunctional, leading to anxiety and depression.

Keywords:
AdaptionEmotionEvolutionMaternal responsivenessPostnatal depressionStress

More Related Videos

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents
07:30

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents

Published on: June 10, 2013

25.8K
Chronic Social Defeat Stress in Early Adolescent Male Mice
07:06

Chronic Social Defeat Stress in Early Adolescent Male Mice

Published on: January 24, 2025

1.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
06:39

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

3.9K
Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents
07:30

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents

Published on: June 10, 2013

25.8K
Chronic Social Defeat Stress in Early Adolescent Male Mice
07:06

Chronic Social Defeat Stress in Early Adolescent Male Mice

Published on: January 24, 2025

1.8K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary psychology
  • Maternal mental health

Background:

  • Postnatal depression affects 10-20% of women, linked to psychosocial and biological factors.
  • Contemporary societal pressures and isolation are significant precipitators.
  • An evolutionary perspective views maternal distress as an adaptive response to solicit support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To extend the understanding of postnatal depression through an evolutionary lens.
  • To hypothesize that maternal vigilance in depression is focused on infant needs like crying and feeding.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative studies exploring women's postpartum experiences.
  • Analysis of emotional and cognitive content of maternal vigilance.

Main Results:

  • Findings support the evolutionary hypothesis of postnatal depression.
  • Maternal vigilance content aligns with infant care needs (crying, feeding).

Conclusions:

  • Postnatal depression may represent adaptive responses from ancestral environments.
  • Modern societal structures hinder these responses, leading to dysfunction.
  • The evolutionary hypothesis offers a feasible framework for understanding postnatal depression.