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 interviews with 738 women 1 to 2 months postpartum. Forty-two percent of the women had high depressive symptoms. Self-esteem mediated the effects of everyday stressors and the quality of primary intimate relationships on depressive symptoms. However, everyday stressors also exhibited direct effects. Mothers with low self-esteem were 39 times more likely to have high depressive symptoms than those with high self-esteem. Interventions to decrease postpartum mothers' chronic stressors and to improve the quality of their primary intimate relationships may enhance their self-esteem, which in turn may decrease the likelihood of high depressive symptoms.
Hall
L A
LA
College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0232, USA.
Kotch
J B
JB
Browne
D
D
Rayens
M K
MK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008016:Life Change Events; D008423:Maternal Age; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological