Demographic Characteristics of Participants in Studies of Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Abstract

Objectives: Metaanalyses have found that sociodemographic variables are not strong predictors of postpartum depression. However, no studies have systematically examined the extent to which the samples used in published research on postpartum depression have included sufficiently diverse samples of women to merit this conclusion. The objectives of this study were to examine the demographic characteristics of participants in previously published studies and to document existing gaps in the current literature. Method:We extracted age, ethnicity, relationship status, and socioeconomic status of 51 453 participants from 143 studies previously selected for systematic literature reviews.Results: Few studies reported complete demographic data; however, existing data indicate that participants were predominantly aged 25 to 35 years, white, partnered, and of mid-or high-socioeconomic status. Conclusions:To assess the external validity of the findings, improved reporting of demographic characteristics is required in publications related to postpartum depression. Additional research is needed to understand postpartum depression among understudied populations. However, most studies have been conducted in Western societies with younger, white, partnered women of higher socioeconomic status. · It is not clear that previously published risk factors or treatment and prevention guidelines are suitable for, or relevant to, diverse populations. Limitations· We included only English-language studies in this review, and it is possible that studies published in other languages reflect more diversity in the countries of origin of the studies and, therefore, in the ethnicity of participants. · Sufficient data were available to examine only 4 demographic variables. · Many studies did not report complete data for the demographic variables examined.

Psychiatric Symptoms and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Pregnancy

“…Public health and clinical concerns about prenatal psychiatric disturbance are most acute for minority women of lower socioeconomic status who exhibit increased prevalence of depressive symptoms (3–6). For example, a large-scale study of low income minority pregnant women reported that 29.3% (7) had experienced a traumatic event; another study of a similar population reported rates of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to be 7.7% (8).…”

Understanding the factors affecting the postpartum depression in the mothers of Isfahan city

“…While in some studies, supplemental insurance and patient-centered healthcare system facilitated the conditions for a successful pregnancy, as the evidence for this claim is the conclusion of Ross et al 's study. [26]…”

The Highs and Lows of Maternal Depression: Cluster Analysis of Depression Symptoms in a Sample of African American Women

“…18 In a meta-analytic review, O'Hara and Swain 19 identified the following consistent risk factors for postpartum depression: lower socioeconomic status, life stress during pregnancy, a difficult pregnancy, marital discord, lack of social support, prior psychopathological condition, and a vulnerable personality. These same factors and self-esteem, childcare stress, prenatal anxiety, infant temperament, and unplanned/unwanted pregnancy were identified by Beck 20 in her updated meta-analysis.…”