title: The impact of partner support in the treatment of postpartum depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the impact of partner support in the treatment of mothers suffering from postpartum depression (PPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients underwent a comprehensive psychiatric assessment and were enrolled in the study only if they met the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder with postpartum onset. Patients with PPD (n = 29) were assigned randomly to 2 treatment groups: group 1 (control group) consisted of patients only (n = 13), while group 2 (support group) consisted of patients (n = 16) and their partners. The patients in both groups were seen for 7 psychoeducational visits each. In group 2, partners participated in 4 of the 7 visits. Patients in both groups were administered a set of questionnaires that included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Kellner Symptom Questionnaire, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), and the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). In addition, during visits 1 and 7, all patients underwent assessment using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Instrument (MINI), section A (major depressive episode). The partners in both groups completed the DAS and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relative to the control-group patients, the support-group patients displayed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and other psychiatric conditions. Relative to the support group, the general health of the partners in the control group deteriorated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Partner support has a measurable effect on women experiencing PPD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Misri
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kostaras
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kostaras
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*