J Korean Acad Womens Health Nurs.  2000 Sep;6(3):358-371.

A Study on the Factors related to postpartum Depression in Postpartum Women

• Choi ES
• Oh JA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic. data for developing a program for effective prevention for Postpartum Depression(PPD) by investigating the level of PPD in postpartum 2weeks women. The subjects were 384 women who visited obstetrical clinics for postnatal care. The data were collected from June 29, 1999 to April. 2000, using a 46-item questionnaire related to PPD, and analyzed by SAS program for t-test, ANOVA. Scheffe test, stepwise multiple regression. The results were as follows : 1. The level of PPD according to general characteristics Women had mild PPD(Min score: 46.0, Max score: 124.0). The PPD levels were significantly differences according to religion and marital satisfaction(p<0.05). 2. The level of PPD according to obstetrical characteristics 1) Characteristics related to pregnancy The PPD levels were significantly differences according to mood change, confidence of body weight recovery, depression related to appearance change, husband's help to housework, and husbands's emotional support (p<0.05). 2) Stressful events during pregnancy The PPD levels were significantly differences according to financial problem, conflict between partners, conflict between family, and husband's job change(p<0.05). 3) Characteristics related to delivery and post natal period The PPD levels were significantly differences according to baby's health state, parenting confidence, and difficulties related to postpartum care(p<0.05). 3. The variables to predict postpartum depression in postpartum women are depression related to appearance change (10.4%), parenting confidence(8.8%), husband's help to housework(2.7%), confidence of body weight recovery (2.4%), husband's job change(1.9%), baby's health state (0.9%), difficulties related to postpartum care (1.6%), mood change (1.2%), conflict between partners (0.6%), marital satisfaction (0.5%), financial problem (0.4%). The sum total of all the above variables can account for 32.4% of postpartum depression. 4. The level of PPD according to PPD factors. Women had the highest degree of PPD in biophysiological phenomena-disturbance of physical functioning factor. The factors of relationship to baby-negative feeling and cognitive phenomena-self concept disturbance were showed the lowest degree of PPD. As a result of the above findings, a systemic and individualized program is strongly recommended for PPD prevention, diagnosis, and care for PPD in postpartum women. In near future, this study should be expanded to investigate the coping skills according to the PPD levels in postpartum women.

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Body Weight
Depression
Depression, Postpartum*
Diagnosis
Female
Housekeeping
Humans
Life Change Events
Parenting
Parents
Postnatal Care
Postpartum Period*
Pregnancy
Surveys and Questionnaires