Symptoms of postpartum anxiety and depression among women in Canada: findings from a national cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objective This study presents national estimates on symptoms consistent with postpartum anxiety (PPA) and postpartum depression (PPD) and the association between these conditions and possible risk and protective factors in women who gave birth in Canada. Methods Data were collected through the Survey on Maternal Health, a cross-sectional survey administered in Canada’s ten provinces between November 2018 and February 2019 among women who gave birth between January 1 and June 30, 2018. A total of 6558 respondents were included. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated, and logistic regression was used to model the relationship between symptoms consistent with PPA, PPD, and potential risk factors. Results Overall, 13.8% of women had symptoms consistent with PPA, while the prevalence of having symptoms consistent with PPD was 17.9%. Results of the logistic regression models indicated that women who had a history of depression were 3.4 times (95% CI 2.7–4.2) more likely to experience symptoms consistent with PPA and 2.6 times more likely to experience symptoms consistent with PPD (95% CI 2.2–3.2) compared with those who did not. Women who reported good, fair, or poor physical health were 2.4 times more likely to experience symptoms consistent with PPD (95% CI 2.0–2.9) and 2.0 times more likely to experience symptoms consistent with PPA (95% CI 1.7–2.4) compared with those who reported very good or excellent health. Maternal marital status, other postpartum maternal support, and sense of community belonging were also significant. Conclusion This study highlights that a history of depression and good, fair, or poor physical health are associated with an increased odds of symptoms consistent with PPA and PPD, while other maternal support and sense of community belonging are associated with a decreased odds of these conditions.

“I don't let everyone see my struggles”: Mothers' social support and privacy management

“…One in seven women are diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD) or postpartum anxiety (PPA; American Psychological Association, 2016). The numbers are likely higher, as many women do not receive a diagnosis or treatment (Gheorghe et al, 2021). Even though PPD and PPA are at the beginning of motherhood, these untreated and undiagnosed mental health ailments can continue into all stages of motherhood.…”

“…While this literature focuses specifically on the moment of becoming mothers (i.e., the time around birth), social support for mothers is limited throughout the years of raising children (see Johnson & Quinlan, 2019). We focus on mothers in all areas of the lifespan, and as such, we acknowledge that the beginning stages of motherhood are stressful, met with a lack of social support and PPD/PPA, which when left untreated can continue into long‐term mental health problems for mothers (see Gheorghe et al, 2021). Essentially, when women choose not to disclose their challenges (which would hopefully help them receive the needed social support), their need for social support remains unmet.…”

Symptômes dépressifs vécus par les parents dans la population générale: État des travaux québécois et canadiens.

“…Vécus en période périnatale, ils affecteraient entre 8% et 10% des pères (Cameron et al, 2016; Paulson & Bazemore, 2010) et entre 6,5% et 26% des mères selon les régions du monde, avec des prévalences plus élevées dans les pays en voie de développement (Gavin et al, 2005; Shorey et al, 2018; Woody et al, 2017). En outre, plusieurs études ont montré qu’un diagnostic de dépression avant la grossesse est un facteur de risque important des symptômes dépressifs suivant l’accouchement tant chez les femmes (Daoud et al, 2019; Gheorghe et al, 2021; Lanes et al, 2011) que chez les hommes (Massoudi et al, 2016).…”

“…Une étude canadienne a aussi trouvé que la consommation d’alcool et de drogues (Le Strat et al, 2011) est associée à la dépression chez les mères suivant l’accouchement. Au niveau des caractéristiques familiales, le fait d’être séparée/divorcée a aussi été associé aux symptômes dépressifs chez les mères suivant l’accouchement (Gheorghe et al, 2021; Muraca & Joseph, 2014), de même que la violence conjugale (Alvarez-Segura et al, 2014; Wu et al, 2012). Enfin au niveau des caractéristiques socio-économiques, le faible niveau d’éducation (Daoud et al, 2019), l’épuisement au travail, le faible revenu, et le fait d’avoir immigré au Canada depuis moins de 5 ans (Chow et al, 2019; Daoud et al, 2019; Dennis et al, 2012) sont liés à une augmentation des symptômes dépressifs chez les femmes.…”

“…Au Canada, plusieurs grandes enquêtes nationales ont documenté les symptômes dépressifs chez les adultes vivant avec au moins un enfant. Celles-ci incluent l’ESCC (CCHS; Bassani et al, 2009; Muraca & Joseph, 2014; Wade et al, 2011), l’ELNEJ (Letourneau et al, 2013), l’enquête canadienne sur l’expérience de la maternité (MES; Daoud et al, 2019; Dennis et al, 2012; Lanes et al, 2011) et l’enquête sur la santé maternelle (Gheorghe et al, 2021; Palladino et al, 2020). L’enquête longitudinale CHILD ( Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development Study ; Chow et al, 2019; Dharma et al, 2019) a été réalisée pour sa part à Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg et Toronto.…”