Kontakt 2019, 21(1):32-38 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2018.003

Predictors of increased depressive symptoms in the postpartum periodNursing - Original article

Lubica Banovcinova ^*, Zuzana Skodova, Kristina Jakubcikova

Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Department of Midwifery, Martin, Slovak Republic

Introduction: Pregnancy and the postpartum period are a risk period in a woman's life in terms of manifesting mental disorders, such as postpartum depression. Previous research has identified several risk factors affecting the onset and progression of postpartum depression.

Aim: (1) to find the occurrence of depressive symptoms in the postpartum women group; (2) to verify the influence of selected factors on the level of postpartum depression.

Materials and methods: Study sample consisted of 510 mothers in the postpartum period, mean age 30.6 years (±5.3; range 19-45 years). The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale was used to measure symptoms of depression; a questionnaire of our own design was used to assess selected factors potentially influencing level of depressive symptoms.

Results: In the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, the respondents achieved an average score of 9.3 ± 5.6; and the prevalence of severe depressive symptoms was 25.3%. The linear regression model showed that significant predictors of postpartum depression were: lower education; history of depression; dependence on the opinion of others; concerns about future; low satisfaction with motherhood; problems with partner; problems with breast-feeding; tearful child; negative emotions toward the baby; and poor mastering of maternity.

Discussion: Significant predictors of postpartum depression identified in this study can be easily detected in clinical practice using the unique long-term contact that a woman has with her prenatal midwife. Evaluation of mothers' emotional health and screening for postpartum depression risk factors can enable midwives to identify those at risk and intervene in a timely manner.

Keywords: Depressive symptoms; Edinburgh postnatal depression scale; Postpartum period; Predictors

Received: May 18, 2018; Accepted: October 16, 2018; Prepublished online: January 11, 2019; Published: March 27, 2019  Show citation