PSYCHOSOCIAL PREDICTORS OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY LEVEL IN POSTPARTUM WOMEN

This study explored a multifactorial model for the prediction of the i ntensity of depressive symptoms in postpartum women. Data were gathere d from 213 pregnant women during the second trimester of pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. Participants were assessed according to a num ber of psychosocial variables. A path analysis indicated that four var iables had a direct effect on postpartum depressive symptomatology lev el: lower occupational status, prenatal depression level, more distal stressors and a personal psychiatric history. Eight variables, which r eflected past and present experiences, showed an indirect effect. The implications of these findings are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scienc e B.V.