title: Postpartum blues: salivary cortisol and psychological factors.
abstract: The relationships between several psychological variables and salivary cortisol levels were investigated in 70 young mothers throughout the first five days following the delivery of a healthy baby. We hypothesized that postpartum blues is associated with ineffective coping strategies, high anxiety levels, and elevated salivary cortisol concentrations. Data analysis revealed that symptoms of postpartum blues occurred more frequently in women who reported high levels of trait-anxiety, passive coping strategies, marital dissatisfaction, or acceptance of their role as a mother. These women had elevated morning levels of cortisol on those days on which the symptoms appeared in contrast to those days without symptoms as well as in contrast to those women who did not experience postpartum blues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Trier, F.R.G.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ehlert
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Patalla
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kirschbaum
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piedmont
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Hellhammer
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008016:Life Change Events; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone