Psychosocial determinants of depression in prenatal and postnatal period

The present study examined the predictive relationship of psychosocial variables [marital adjustment, perceived lack of social support and socioeconomic status] with depression in prenatal and postnatal period. After detailed review of literature it was hypothesized that a] Psychosocial variables [marital adjustment, perceived lack of social support, and socioeconomic status] would predict depression in prenatal period; b] Psychosocial variables [marital adjustment, perceived lack of social support and socioeconomic status] would predict depression in postnatal period. Sample of the 155 pregnant women were assessed during third trimester in prenatal period. The age range of participants was from 25-40 years with a mean age of 28.2 years [SD=3.95], the minimum duration of marriage was two years and minimum qualification was graduation. All three socioeconomic status [low socioeconomic status = 33, middle socioeconomic status = 63, higher socioeconomic status = 59] were included in the sample. However, due to attrition the postnatal sample was reduced from 155 to 90 women [assessed within 4 weeks after delivery] with a mean age of 28.4 years [SD=3.39]; and approximately similar profile of socioeconomic status i.e. [low socioeconomic status = 23, middle socioeconomic status - 35, higher socioeconomic status - 32]. Semi structured interview form for psychological assessment was administered. Moreover, Dyadic Adjustment Scale [DAS; Spanier, 2001], 'Nonsupport' Subscale of Personality Assessment Inventory [PAI; Morey, 1991], and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EDPS; Cox, Holden, and Sagovsky, 1987] were administered to assess the variables of maritaladjustment, perceived lack of social support and depression in prenatal period respectively. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was re-administered during postnatal period [within 4 weeks after delivery] to assess depression in postnatal period. Stepwise Regression Analysis was applied to investigate the predictive relationship of psychosocial variables [marital adjustment, perceived lack of social support and socioeconomic status] with depression in prenatal and postnatal period. Results revealed the significance of psychosocial variables in prenatal period, with marital adjustment playing major role in predicting depression in prenatal period. Perceived lack of social support, although being non significant in overall model, appears to have its significance in association with marital adjustment in determining depression in prenatal period. However, socioeconomic status was found as a non significant predictor of depression in prenatal period. Moreover, the psychosocial variable of marital adjustment appeared as a significant predictor of depression in postnatal period. However, results failed to demonstrate the significance of perceived lack of social support and socioeconomic status as predictors of depression in postnatal period

comparative study of marital adjustment and self esteem among husbands of working and non-working wives

The present study investigates the difference in the level of Marital Adjustment and Self-esteem between the husbands of working and non-working wives. After detailed literature review following hypotheses have been formulated, [1] husbands of working wives would have lower level of marital adjustment as compared to the husbands of nonworking wives [2] husbands of working wives would have low self esteem as compared to the husbands of nonworking wives. The sample of the present research consisted of 55 married males with an age range of 30-45 years and qualification of at least graduation. Marital Adjustment was measured by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale [DAS] [Spanier, 2001], and Self Esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self esteem Scale [Rosenberg 1965]. [t test] was used to compute the difference and results showed that there is no significant difference in the level of marital adjustment [t = .944, df = 53, p>.05] and self esteem [t - 1.481, df = 53, p>.05] between the husbands of working and nonworking wives

Neuroticism and its effect on marital quality

The present study investigates the variability in the level of neuroticism and its effect on marital quality with special reference to dyadic satisfaction and affectional expression in working women. A comparative study. Karachi, Pakistan from March 2005 to April 2006: After detailed literature review it was hypothesized that a] Married women with high scores on neuroticism will scores low on dyadic satisfaction as compared to the married women with low score on neuroticism, b] Married women with high scores on neuroticism will score low on affectional expression as compared to the married women with low scores on neuroticism. Sample of study consists of 61 married working women, divided into two groups: a] females with high scores on neuroticism [n=32], b] females with low scores on neuroticism [n=29]. The age of the subjects ranged from 25 years to 45 years. Their duration of marriage was at least 2 years. The minimum educational level of subjects was graduation. Purposive sampling was done and participants were selected form different organizations including schools, banks and hospitals. They were matched on the basis of age, duration of marriage and educational level. The subjects first completed the personal information questionnaire and then the subscale of Neuroticism taken from Neo Five Factor Inventory, [1] followed by administration of subscales of Dyadic Satisfaction and Affectional Expression taken from Dyadic Adjustment Scale [2]. t-test was computed to calculate the mean difference on the variables of Dyadic Satisfaction and Affectional Expression of married working women with high and low scores on neuroticism. Results are indicative of significant difference on the variables of dyadic satisfaction [t=4.539, df=59, p<0.05] and affectional expression [t=2.881, df=59, p<0. 05] between two groups [females with high neuroticism and females with low neuroticism]. Level of neuroticism has significant effects on Dyadic Satisfaction and Affectional Expression in married working women

Body image as a determinant of self esteem and depression in married females

The present study investigates the relationship of body image with self esteem and depression among married females. After detailed literature review certain hypotheses have been formulated, i.e., [1] body image would be positively related to self esteem, [2] body image would be negatively related to depression. The sample of the present research consisted of 42 married females with an age range of 25-35 years and qualification of at least graduation. Body Image was measured with the Body Esteem Scale [Franzoi and Shields, 1984] and Self Esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale [Rosenberg, 1965], while Depression was measured using Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression scale [Radloff, 1977]. Data analysis involved the use of Pearson Product Moment Correlation and the results show that there is a significant positive relationship between body image and self esteem, and insignificant negative relationship between body image and depression