Postpartum Depressive Symptoms Following Consecutive Pregnancies: Stability, Change, and Mechanisms. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dunkel Schetter, Christine; Saxbe, Darby E.; Cheadle, Alyssa C. D.; Guardino, Christine M.
• Is Part Of: Clinical psychological science. Volume 4:Number 5(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 909
• Page End: 918
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: postpartum depression -- stress mechanisms -- postpartum depressive symptoms -- interpregnancy interval; Clinical psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1177/2167702616644894
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2167-7026

Abstract

Postpartum depression is a major mental health issue for women and society. We examined stability and change in symptoms of depression over two consecutive pregnancies and tested life stress as a potential mechanism. The Community Child Health Network followed an ethnically/racially diverse sample from 1 month after a birth for 2 years. A subset of 228 women had a second birth. Interview measures of depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and life stress (life events, perceived stress, chronic stress, interpersonal aggression) were obtained during home visits. Three-quarters of the sample showed intraindividual stability in depressive symptoms from one postpartum period to the next, and 24% of the sample had clinically significant symptoms after at least one pregnancy (9% first, 7.5% second, 3.5% both). Each of the four life stressors significantly mediated the association between depressive symptoms across two postpartum periods. Stress between pregnancies for women may be an important mechanism perpetuating postpartum depression.