Socioeconomic risk factors for postpartum depression and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Introduction. Postpartum depression and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common disorders during perinatal period. They can significantly reduce the quality of life of the mother and have long-term consequences for her psychological well-being and her child’s development. This is the first study where socioeconomic characteristics, namely family's economic status, place of childbirth, and the type of childbirth healthcare plan for childbirth, are explored in the context of elevated risk for postpartum depression and PTSD in the Russian sample. Methods. The study included 2,579 women aged 18–43 years who gave birth within 12 months prior to the survey. Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Scale of Postpartum Depression and postpartum PTSD was measured using the City Birth Trauma Scale. In addition, information on demographic and obstetric characteristics was collected. Results. Statistically significant differences were found in the severity of symptoms of postpartum depression (F = 13.678, p < 0.001) and postpartum PTSD (F = 10.235, p < 0.001) depending on the economic status of the mother. There were also significant differences in the severity of symptoms of postpartum depression (F = 10.780, p < 0.001) and postpartum PTSD (F = 10.410, p < 0.001) depending on the type of childbirth healthcare plan (childbirth in a specialized maternity care hospital under state insurance/childbirth in a specialized maternity care hospital with a paid contract and option for a birth team of choice/home birth). There were no differences in the severity of symptoms of either postpartum depression or postpartum PTSD depending on the place of childbirth (rural area, urban settlement, city) (F = 0.021, p = 0.979, F = 0.685, p = 0.504, respectively). Discussion. The results of this work are consistent with previous studies in Russia and other countries, indicating the importance of socioeconomic factors in the etiology of postpartum depression and PTSD. The development of mental health support programs for women with low economic status during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period may become promising avenues for the prevention of postpartum depression and PTSD.

Keywords

• послеродовая депрессия
• социально-экономические факторы
• социальные факторы
• экономический статус
• перинатальные расстройства
• материнская депрессия
• опыт родов
• перинатальный период
• факторы риска