The association between social support and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder
Jingfen Chen1, Shu Wang1, Xiaolu Lai1
1School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
|December 28, 2024
Summary
Social support significantly reduces the risk of developing postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Higher levels of social support are linked to lower odds of experiencing postpartum PTSD.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal mental health
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant concern for maternal well-being.
- The precise impact of social support on postpartum PTSD risk is not fully understood.
- This study investigates the association between social support and the development of postpartum PTSD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between various dimensions of social support and the incidence of postpartum PTSD.
- To quantify the protective effect of social support against postpartum PTSD.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involving 560 mothers in Guangdong province, China.
- Social support was measured using the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) at 3 days postpartum.
- Postpartum PTSD was assessed using the Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire (PPQ) at 42 days postpartum.
Main Results:
- 8.2% of mothers developed postpartum PTSD.
- All measured aspects of social support (subjective, objective, availability, overall) were inversely associated with postpartum PTSD.
- Increased social support quartiles demonstrated a significant, dose-dependent reduction in the adjusted relative risk of developing postpartum PTSD.
Conclusions:
- Social support demonstrates a protective effect against postpartum PTSD.
- Findings suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing social support could mitigate postpartum PTSD risk.
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