Multiple domains of stress predict postpartum depressive symptoms in low-income Mexican American women: the moderating effect of social support

Abstract

Purpose Prenatal stress can have a lasting effect on women’s mental health after childbirth. The negative effects may be particularly salient in women from low income and ethnic minority backgrounds, who are at increased risk for postpartum depression. However, social support may have the potential to attenuate the negative impact of stress. Methods The present study evaluated 269 Mexican American women (ages 18–42; 83% Spanish-speaking; median income $10,000–$15,000) for prenatal stress (daily hassles, family stress, partner stress, and culture-specific stress) in relation to depressive symptoms six weeks postpartum. Prenatal social support was examined as a buffer against the impact of prenatal stress. Results Partner stress, family stress, and daily hassles uniquely predicted depressive symptoms. Moderate and high levels of social support attenuated risk for depression due to family stressors. Conclusions Prenatal interpersonal and daily stressors negatively impact the mental health of women after birth, but social support can mitigate some of these effects. Among Mexican American pregnant women, effective interpersonal support and stress management may be associated with reduced risk for postpartum depression.

Explaining socioeconomic inequalities in self-reported health outcomes: The mediating role of perceived life stress, financial self-reliance, psychological capital, and time perspective orientations

“…There are indications for the effectiveness of such interventions, for example, a randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention among individuals diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, has shown that such an intervention improved stress reactivity and coping measured in a laboratory stress challenge [55]. Furthermore, research among low-income Mexican American women showed that social support buffered the negative effect of stress on mental health, specifically postpartum depression [56]. Thus, it is worthwhile to design interventions that target not only coping, but also incorporate an element of social support to reduce the negative impact of stress on health.…”

Postpartum depression and social support in a racially and ethnically diverse population of women

“…Nonetheless, information is limited regarding the effects of social support on racial/ethnic minority women in the US, who are at high-risk for experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage and stressful life events. In a cohort of Mexican-American women, moderate to high levels of social support attenuated risk for PPD (Coburn et al 2016), and partner support protected against the negative effect of prenatal stress on infant cortisol reactivity (Luecken et al 2013). For Black mothers, supportive relationships with the father of the baby and the mother's parent were related to lower levels of depressive symptoms (Edwards et al 2012;Westdahl et al 2007).…”

“…In summary, research on social support and PPD in racial/ethnic minority women in the US is largely limited by relatively small sample sizes and lack of comparison analysis between minority groups with and without PPD (Coburn et al 2016;Gray et al 2000;Martinez-Schallmoser et al 2003;Ugarriza 2006). We address this fundamental gap in knowledge of the relationship between social support and PPD in a large and diverse cross-sectional cohort study of PPD cases and controls.…”

Intergenerational transmission of adverse childhood experiences via maternal depression and anxiety and moderation by child sex

“…Social support has long been established as a buffer to maternal perinatal depression 55 , 56 and anxiety 57 and as protecting children from the influence of postnatal depression 55 , 58 , 59 and anxiety 57 . Low social support is associated with prenatal anxiety 60 and partner support is associated with a lower risk of co-morbid postnatal anxiety and depression 61 .…”

“…Low social support is associated with prenatal anxiety 60 and partner support is associated with a lower risk of co-morbid postnatal anxiety and depression 61 . In contrast, low-income has also been implicated in postpartum depressive symptoms 56 and difficulties with finances and non-white ethnicity have been implicated in co-morbid postnatal depression and anxiety 61 . Thus, it is important to consider the socioeconomic and interpersonal influences on the intergenerational transmission of ACEs to children’s behavioural problems.…”