Influence of perceived stress on prenatal depression in Surinamese women enrolled in the CCREOH study

Abstract

Background Prenatal depression may have adverse health effects on mothers and their offspring. Perceived stress is an important risk factor for depression during pregnancy. Studies have shown that both perceived stress and depression may negatively influence birth outcomes. While 20% of pregnancies in Suriname, a middle-income Caribbean country located in northern South America, results in adverse birth outcomes, data on prenatal depression and its risk factors are lacking. This study aimed to assess the influence of perceived stress on depression during pregnancy in Surinamese women. Methods Survey data were used from 1143 pregnant women who participated in the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health-MeKiTamara prospective cohort study that addresses the impact of chemical and non-chemical environmental exposures in mother/child dyads in Suriname. The Edinburgh Depression Scale and Cohen Perceived Stress Scale were used to screen for probable depression (cut-off ≥ 12) and high stress (cut-off ≥ 20), respectively. The association between perceived stress and depression was examined using bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses, adjusted for social support (including resilience) and maternal demographics. Results The prevalence of high perceived stress during the first two trimesters and the third trimester were 27.2% and 24.7% respectively. 22.4% of the participants had probable depression during first or second trimester and 17.6% during the third trimester. Women experiencing high stress levels during the first two trimesters had 1.92 increased odds (95% CI 1.18–3.11, p = 0.008) of having probable depression during the third trimester of pregnancy than those with low stress levels. Pregnant women with low individual resilience during early pregnancy (52.1%) had 1.65 (95% CI 1.03–2.63, p = 0.038) increased odds of having probable depression during later stages of pregnancy compared to those with high individual resilience. Low educational level (p = 0.004) and age of the mother (20–34 years) (p = 0.023) were significantly associated with probable depression during the third trimester. Conclusions Early detection and management of stress and depression during pregnancy are important. Health education programs, targeting the reduction of stress during pregnancy, may help to reduce depression and its potential adverse health effects on the mother and child.

Trends of Perinatal Stress, Anxiety, and Depression and Their Prediction on Postpartum Depression

“…Nevertheless, the management of perceived stress is warranted because of its strong correlation with perinatal anxiety and depressive symptoms. Other studies, which found that pregnant women with high stress levels had high odds of having probable prenatal depression and that prenatal stress could predict prenatal depressive symptoms and anxiety, [45,46] also highlighted the importance of assessing and managing perinatal stress.…”

Prevalence of stress and depression and associated factors among women seeking a first-trimester induced abortion in China: a cross-sectional study

“…To determine prevalence of high perceived stress and depression, samples of 202 and 248, respectively were needed using a single population proportion formula, rate for high perceived stress of p = 24.7% [ 17 ] and rate for depression of p = 22.4% [ 18 ], 95% CI, 5% margin error, and design effect at 2. Hence, a sample size above 248 was deemed sufficient.…”

“…The Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) [ 20 ] relates to how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded respondents perceive their current situation since first finding out about the pregnancy to now. Scores range from 0 to 40 with a score ≥ 20 considered high perceived stress [ 18 , 21 ]. In this study, participants were also asked to indicate any other specific sources of stress in this current pregnancy.…”

Prevalence, associated factors and perinatal outcomes of antepartum depression in Ibadan Nigeria

“…The causal relationship between stress and depression has been reported by researchers [ 38 – 41 ]. Perceived stress during pregnancy could result from low socio-economic status, financial distress particularly the difficulty with meeting basic needs such as food and shelter, lack of social and family support, marital dysfunction and conflict [ 41 , 42 ]. These factors, together with other early life stressors as physical, sexual and psychological maltreatment could contribute to maternal depression during pregnancy [ 42 ].…”

“…Perceived stress during pregnancy could result from low socio-economic status, financial distress particularly the difficulty with meeting basic needs such as food and shelter, lack of social and family support, marital dysfunction and conflict [ 41 , 42 ]. These factors, together with other early life stressors as physical, sexual and psychological maltreatment could contribute to maternal depression during pregnancy [ 42 ]. Physiologically, stressful events activate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and sympathetic nervous responses causing the release of stress hormones like corticotrophin releasing hormones, cortisol, and adrenaline.…”