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Social support and postpartum depression
M C Logsdon1, A B McBride, J C Birkimer
1School of Nursing, Spalding University, Louisville, KY 40203.
Research in Nursing & Health
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Mismatched expectations of social support during pregnancy are linked to postpartum depression. Addressing these prenatal expectations may help reduce the incidence of postpartum depression.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Postpartum depression affects a significant number of women.
- Social support is crucial for maternal well-being.
- Prenatal expectations may influence postpartum mental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between discrepancies in social support expectations and perceptions and postpartum depression.
- To identify predictors of postpartum depression in primiparous women.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 105 low-risk primiparous women.
- Surveys conducted 1 month prenatally and 1 month postnatally.
- Utilized multiple regression analysis to assess correlations.
Main Results:
- Nearly half of women had scores indicating possible depression prenatally, and one-third postnatally.
- Discrepancies in social support, prenatal depression, and closeness to spouse predicted postpartum depression.
- These factors accounted for nearly 40% of the variance in postpartum depression.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal expectations of social support are important factors influencing postpartum depression.
- Interventions focusing on prenatal expectations may mitigate postpartum depression.
- Further research is needed to explore the generalizability of these findings and causes of spousal closeness.