Postpartum depression: in relation to life events and patterns of coping

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and its relationship with life events (LE) and patterns for coping. We performed a cross-sectional study of 113 women, on the 10(th) day of puerperium, at the Obstetric Clinic of the São Paulo University Medical School. The study was based on the following: Pitt (1967) and Stein (1980) Scales, Beck Depression Inventory (1961), Holmes and Rahe Schedule of Recent Events (1967), Folkman and Lazarus Ways of Coping (1985) and questionnaire of social-demographic and obstetric data. Logistic regression was performed to calculate prevalence of PPD and its association with several risk factors. The significance level was defined at 5%. The prevalence of PPD was 15.9% (IC 9.7% to 24.0%). According to the multivariate analyses, the variables of coping with distancing, number of children and ethnic origin were significant. There were no association between PPD and LE. The depressed puerperal women have a low educational level, greater number of children and resort to inadequate coping strategies, such as distancing. This pattern of coping might be an etiological factor of the PPD as well as a reaction to their difficult life environment.

Prevalence and determinants of common perinatal mental disorders in women in low- and lower-middle-income countries: a systematic review

“…26,27 There was also mixed evidence regarding the relationship between CPMD and the number of living children in a woman's care. While three studies 22,38,45 found higher prevalence of CPMDs among women who had three or more children other studies found no association between family size and mental health. 18,31,32 …”

“…Rates of CPMD were also higher among women who were young 9,37,49 ; of a religious minority, 34 or unmarried. 13,39,55 However, other studies found no association between CPMD and maternal age 10,13,16,20,22,32,36,45,48 ; marital status 9,34,37,47 ; economic difficulties or a low income 13,22,26,32,36,45,48 ; unemployment 9,16,26,34,36,47 or adverse life events. 10,31…”

“…For example, some studies excluded women who were illiterate 34 or unable to speak the researchers' language 11,12,14,20,40,41,46,[52][53][54] or who had a personal or family history of psychiatric problems. 15,21,22,26,41,49,52,55 Such studies may have underestimated prevalence.…”

Transtornos psiquiátricos no pós-parto

“…Dez estudos estimaram a prevalência da DPP no Brasil 22,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] . Foram encontradas taxas de 7,2% a 43%.…”

“…Quanto mais grave e persistente for a 36 João Pessoa -PB 21 202 2ª semana ao 12°mês EPDS > 11 Moraes et al 33 Pelotas -RS 19 410 30º ao 45º dia Escala de Depressão de Hamilton > 17 Faisal-Cury et al 35 São Paulo -SP 16 113 10º dia Beck Depression Inventory Cantilino et al 37 Recife -PE 16 120 2ª a 26ª semana PDSS > 102…”