Predictors of Postpartum Depression among Italian Women: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Introduction: Postpartum depression is commonly experienced by mothers worldwide and is associated with anxiety disorders, parenting stress, and other forms of distress, which may lead to a complex illness condition. Several studies have investigated the risk factors for this disorder, including biological and socio-demographic variables, medical and obstetric factors, and psychological and relational dimensions. The present study aimed to describe the psychological status of mothers up to 12 months postpartum, and to investigate the predictors of depressive symptoms at 12 months postpartum, considering obstetric factors along with psychological and relational variables. Methods: A sample of 137 women completed a questionnaire composed of a sheet on anamnestic and obstetric information and the following scales: Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; Parenting Stress Index (Short Form); Dyadic Adjustment Scale; and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were collected at four assessment times: 2–3 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum. Results: Findings showed that the highest percentage of women with clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (state and trait) and depression was found at 12 months postpartum, which indicated that this was the most critical time. The quality of childbirth experience and trait anxiety at three months postpartum emerged as significant predictors of postpartum depression at 12 months. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of providing stable programs (such as educational programs) to mothers in the first year postpartum. Furthermore, because the quality of the childbirth experience is one of the most important predictors of PPD at 12 months postpartum, effort should be made by healthcare professionals to guarantee a positive experience to all women to reduce possible negative long-term consequences of this experience.

Early Detection of Neurodevelopmental Disorders of Toddlers and Postnatal Depression by Mobile Health App: Observational Cross-sectional Study

“…However, the women who agreed to participate in the PND study may more likely have been first-time mothers with a higher level of education compared to the general population. This was recently observed in a longitudinal study from Italy on predictors of PND [ 35 ]. The impact of this potential selection on the PND screening rate is probably low, as the observed incidence result in our study (n=151, 16.6%) is close to the rate in the general population (17.7%) [ 16 ].…”

The Association of Perceived Labor Agentry and Depression and/or Anxiety

“…26 Participants with a history of psychiatric diagnosis are at an increased risk for anxiety and depression in the postpartum period at baseline, and the way that they experience childbirth can significantly alter that risk. 3,23 Cheung et al performed a study that assessed the relationship between maternal anxiety and feelings of control over labor in 90 nulliparous patients in Hong Kong. 27 This study reported that those with lower anxiety levels had higher scores on the LAS and that this relationship was not affected by use of pain relief, length of labor, or the use of antenatal childbirth classes.…”

“…The difference in LAS scores between those with and without depression and/or anxiety diagnoses remained significant even when controlling for factors known to change views of childbirth including mode of delivery. 20,23 Identifying this difference in the experience of control over labor/childbirth can help guide interventions to improve patient understanding and experience of their childbirth. All patients bring with them preexisting beliefs regarding childbirth, personal histories, and traits that may play a role in how they experience labor.…”

“This is not what I imagined motherhood would look like”: pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting during COVID-19 – a qualitative analysis of the first year since birth

“…Studies have shown that a negative birth experience, such as giving birth during a pandemic, can increase parenting stress [ 21 , 27 ], negatively impact mother-infant bonding [ 21 , 28 ], decrease self-efficacy as a mother [ 27 , 29 ], and increase postpartum depression even up to 12 months postpartum [ 30 ]. Individuals who were parenting during COVID-19 experienced more worry, higher anxiety, and depression [ 31 – 33 ].…”