POSTPARTUM DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN NEW MOTHERS AND FATHERS - PARENTING, WORK, AND SUPPORT

Control and social gratification at work and in other social roles hav e been shown to be predictive of depression in general adult populatio ns, yet the potential importance of these factors in the postpartum pe riod has not been explored. This study examines the influence of self- reported social gratification, support, and control at work and in the parenting role on depressive symptomatology for both men and women in the postpartum period. A model including perceptions of control, soci al gratification, and support in these two life domains is tested at 6 months postpartum in a sample of 108 first-time parents. When this mo del is compared to a parallel model using information obtained 6 month s before the birth, strong support for the increased significance of t hese variables in the postpartum period is found. The need to include work and role-related variables in a comprehensive stress-diathesis mo del of postpartum depression for both men and women is discussed.