Individual coping style and psychological attitudes during pregnancy predict depression levels during pregnancy and during postpartum

Abstract

Fifty primigravidae were investigated from 30 weeks of gestation until 6 months after delivery to assess the predictive value of individual coping style, conception time and specific psychological changes during pregnancy for the depression levels assessed during the third trimester of pregnancy and 5 days, 6 weeks and 6 months after delivery. The individual coping style is an effective predictor of depression levels during the third trimester of pregnancy and 6 months after delivery, but not for the depression levels 5 days and 6 weeks after delivery. A path analysis revealed that high depressive coping and low social support-seeking predict a longer conception time, which all predict a more important lack of spousal support during pregnancy. Higher depressive coping, a longer conception time and a more important lack of spousal support during pregnancy all predict high depression levels 6 months after delivery. The present findings thus suggest helpful predictors for the psychological adaptation during the transition to parenthood.

Depression in the Mother and Maternal Attachment – Results from a Follow-Up Study at 1 Year Postpartum

“…This indicates that after the passage of 1 year, the 'presence nearby of mothers with children in the same age group' and 'feelings in learning of pregnancy' no longer affect the mother's depression, and that the issue with relevance to the mother's mental health has shifted to the presence of actual support with child care. As revealed in our puerperium study, many studies have pointed out the importance of social support as a factor associated with maternity blues shortly after childbirth [4,[22][23][24]. These studies have cited the mother's relationship with her partner as being of particular importance, but these were all studies carried out in a relatively short time frame following childbirth, and we have not been able to find any studies taking up the aspect of social support at 1 year postpartum.…”

Emotional distress and its correlates among Nigerian women in late pregnancy

“…During the first trimester, unwanted pregnancy and poor marital relationship commonly lead to emotional distress while fear of childbirth and dysfunctional coping style are associated with disturbance during late pregnancy (Demyttenaere et al, 1995;Gelder et al, 1996;Kitamura et al, 1996). Other associated correlates of emotional distress during pregnancy include twin pregnancy, single status, first pregnancy, past history of abortion, low socio-economic status and low education (Alvarado et al, 1993;Demyttenaere et al, 1995;Kitamura et al, 1990Kitamura et al, , 1998DaSilva et al, 1998;El-Khoury et al, 1999;Yokoyama, 2002).…”

Maternidade na adolescência: Consequências e trajectórias desenvolvimentais

“…Se tivermos em conta os factores que a investigação tem em geral revelado como sendo circunstâncias de risco para a depressão pós-partonomeadamente, falta de suporte social (e.g., Collins, Dunkell-Schetter, Lobel, & Scrimshaw, 1993;Demyttenaere, Lenaerts, Nijs, & Van-Assche, 1995), dificuldades no relacionamento conjugal (e.g., Gotlib et al, 1991;O'Hara et al, 1990O'Hara et al, , 1992 ou ausência de cônjuge (e.g., Hobfoll et al, 1995) e problemas de saúde ou dificuldades temperamentais do bebé (Hopkins, Campbell, & Marcus, 1987;Murray, Stanley, Hooper, King, & Fiori-Cowley, 1996) -não é estranho que os valores de prevalência de depressão pós--parto sejam tão elevados nas referidas amostras de mães adolescentes, dado que estas circunstân-cias estão muitas vezes presentes no caso de a maternidade se verificar na adolescência.…”