THE RELATIONSHIP OF WOMENS POSTPARTUM MENTAL-HEALTH TO EMPLOYMENT, CHILDBIRTH, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT

Background. This study was conducted to examine changes in women's men tal health over the first postpartum year and factors that are associa ted with mental health. Methods. Participants included women who were married, employed, English-speaking, and giving birth to their first c hild at one of two hospitals in St Paul, Minnesota. Women who were eli gible and willing to participate were mailed questionnaires at 1, 3, 6 , 9, and 12 months postpartum. Results. There were significant changes in mothers' general mental health, depression, and anxiety over the f irst postpartum year (P less-than-or-equal-to .01), with least favorab le outcomes at 1 month and most favorable outcomes at 12 months postpa rtum. Poor mental health was related to work factors, such as longer w ork hours and maternity leave of less than 24 weeks, and to variables often associated with recent childbirth, such as maternal fatigue, los s of sleep, concerns about appearance, and infant illnesses. In additi on, postpartum symptoms were predicted by physical illness, previous m ental problems, poor general health, poor social support, fewer recrea tional activities, young age, and low income (R2 = 37% to 57%). Conclu sions. In this select group of women, postpartum mental health was fou nd to be least favorable 1 month after delivery and related to factors associated with employment, recent delivery, and level of social supp ort.