RISK-FACTORS FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN JAPAN

We conducted a longitudinal study to identify risk factors for postpar tum depression. At the late phase of pregnancy, 627 pregnant women agr eed to take the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Trait (STAIT) test and t o remain in the study until 4 months postpartum. At 1, 3 and 4 months postpartum, they took the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) test and the Slate-Trait Anxiety Inventory State (STATS) test. At 3 mo nths postpartum, they were asked about socio-psychological and obstetr ic factors. High scores in the EPDS and STATS tests were correlated wi th primiparity, premature delivery, difficult labor, experience of lif e events and worries about baby care. Furthermore, high scores in the STAIT test in late pregnancy were strongly correlated with high scores in the EPDS and STATS tests in the postpartum period.