Perinatal psychological well-being in women with zero postnatal anxiety-depressive symptoms scores: a retrospective descriptive study. (14th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grussu, Pietro; Andreetto, Irene; Pastore, Massimiliano; Calcagnì, Antonio; Quatraro, Rosa Maria
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive and infant psychology. Volume 38:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 213
• Publication Date: 2020-03-14
• Subjects: Perinatal psychiatry -- psychological well-being -- screening -- postpartum depression -- postnatal anxiety; Human reproduction -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Infant psychology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Child Psychology -- Periodicals; Women -- psychology -- Periodicals; 612.6
• DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2020.1724915
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-6838

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : A total absence of psychological symptoms during pregnancy or postpartum period is not common. Although there are some considerations on zero scores detected by EPDS, no thorough analysis is currently present in the literature of the eventuality and meaning of a total absence of postpartum symptoms following the compilation of two or more self-report symptom questionnaires. Methods : In a sample of 960 Italian women, three groups of 31 subjects are defined retrospectively by scores on the EPDS-GHQ12: women with 'zero', 'lower', and 'higher' postnatal symptomatology. The psychological well-being of these groups was compared as detected in pregnancy and after childbirth by PWB questionnaire. Results : Higher and excessive scores in Environmental mastery dimension connote the profile of women with a total absence of postpartum anxiety-depression symptoms. Positive relations with other dimension were less characterising, but it should be noted as a distinctive trait in the 'zero' symptoms postnatal symptomatology group. In the same 'zero' group, the scores of the six PWB questionnaire dimensions – except Personal growth – are all higher than the scores obtained by women in the general population. Conclusion : The atypical self-reported perinatal mood condition present in the 'zero' symptoms group have currently unknown clinical significance