SELF-ESTEEM AS A MEDIATOR OF THE EFFECTS OF STRESSORS AND SOCIAL RESOURCES ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN POSTPARTUM MOTHERS

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of self-esteem as a mediator of the effects of stressors and social resources on mothers' postpartum depressive symptoms. Data were collected during in-home int erviews with 738 women 1 to 2 months postpartum. Forty-two percent of the women had high depressive symptoms. Self-esteem medicated the effe cts of everyday stressors and the quality of primary intimate relation ships on depressive symptoms. However, everyday stressors also exhibit ed direct effects. Mothers with low self-esteem were 39 times more lik ely to have high depressive symptoms than those with high self-esteem. Interventions to decrease postpartum mothers' chronic stressors and t o improve the quality of their primary intimate relationships may enha nce their self-esteem, which in turn may decrease the likelihood of hi gh depressive symptoms.