The effect of social support and acculturation on postpartum depression in Mexican American women.
Postpartum depression was studied in 66 multiparous Mexican American women using a prospective longitudinal design. Interviews were conducted at 34 to 36 weeks prenatally and 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. Women expressing prenatal depression were more likely to continue to experience depression postpartum. Other predictors included a high need for postpartum support, specific support network characteristics, acculturation, and poor quality relationships within the family. It is important for the health care provider to assess the presence of depressive symptoms and available social support during the prenatal period and work with Mexican American mothers to increase support and secure help in dealing with daily life stressors.
Martinez-Schallmoser
Lucy
L
Department of Nursing, Loyola University-Chicago, USA.
Telleen
Sharon
S
MacMullen
Nancy J
NJ
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D015146:Midwestern United States; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology