Psychosocial determinants of depression in prenatal and postnatal period

ABSTRACT

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