Predictors Of Postpartum Depression:a Longitudinal Research

Objective:We use longitudinal research method to explore the predictive role of childhood trauma, social support and PTSD following childbirth in the development of postpartum depression.Method:Our study was carried out in the obstetric ward and out-patient clinic of a grade3A general hospital through the longitudinal way. We made an assessment to the maternal sample at two time point, T1—the third trimester of pregnancy and T2—the first week after delivery, from June to September,2013. Among which the instruments we used during T1time were as follows:the demographic questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS); instruments used during T2time contained Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), PTSD Checklist—Civilian Version (PCL-C), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS). In order to explore the associations between demographic data (including the obstetrics data) and postpartum depression, a t-test and one-way ANOVA were run. With10as the cutting off score, we divided the sample into depression-group and non-depression-group; using a t-test to estimate the associations between the selected variables and postpartum depression. At last, predictors of postpartum depression were explored by unconditioned logistic regression analysis, during which depression or not (depression=1, non-depression=0) was defined as the dependent variable, variables significantly correlated with postpartum depression were defined as the independent variables. Results:(1)During the T1time,334copies of questionnaire were handed out,314of which were efficient for analysis; during the T2time,280copies were handed out and276were efficient.(2)In our study, the prevalence of postpartum depression in Jinan was23.1%.(3)No significant associations were found between demographic variables (including residence, level of education, occupation, family income) as well as obstetrics variables (including parity, history of abortion, complications of pregnancy,pregnancy planning, mode of delivery) and postpartum depression, p>0.05.(4) Among those selected variables which we expected to research specifically, childhood trauma, PTSD following childbirth, and the social support were significantly associated with postpartum depression.(5) Logistic regression analysis revealed that physical neglect of CTQ, intrusive re-experiencing of PCL-C, support from family of PSSS were predictors of postpartum depression. Among which, physical neglect of CTQ as well as intrusive re-experiencing of PCL-C displayed as risk factors of postpartum depression(OR=1.17; OR=1.15); whereas, support from family of PSSS displayed as a protective factor of postpartum depression(OR=0.81).Conclusion:(l)The prevalence of postpartum depression in Jinan China was higher still.(2) Our findings suggest that women with history of childhood physical neglect and PTSD following childbirth were particularly at-risk for depressive symptomatology after delivery.(3)Support from family and friends acts as a buffer against stress during the perinatal.The results of this study provide evidence that more support from family should be offer for maternals to prevent postpartum depression.(4)The results highlight the critical of offering early screening and more supports, especially support from family, for maternals in order to minimize the occurrence of postpartum depression.