Factors affecting postpartum depressive symptoms of adolescent mothers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the extent that anticipated maternal emotions in response to infant care (infant care emotionality or frustration and dissatisfaction with infant crying or fussing, or both), several forms of social support, and socioeconomic status explain fourth-week postpartum depressive symptoms of adolescent mothers.


METHODS
Secondary multiple regression analysis of a subset of variables from a larger longitudinal study that examined adolescent mothers and infants.


METHODS
Two university teaching hospitals in Western Canada.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 78 healthy adolescent mothers.


METHODS
Prenatal anticipated infant care emotionality, perceived family and friend social support, socioeconomic status, enacted social support, and postpartum depressive symptoms.


RESULTS
Anticipated infant care emotionality (R2=.19) and socioeconomic status (R2=.07) significantly predicted postpartum depressive symptoms. Family support, friend support, and enacted social support were not significant predictors of postpartum depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses in various settings can assess the pregnant adolescent's anticipated infant care emotionality and socioeconomic status to determine their potential risk or vulnerability to postpartum depressive symptoms. More negative prenatal infant care emotionality was the strongest predictor of postpartum depressive symptoms. Validation of study findings with a larger, more representative sample is recommended.
Loretta Secco
M
M
Joint St. FX/Cape Breton University Nursing Program, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.. Electronic address: loretta_secco@capebretonu.ca.
Profit
Sheila
S
Joint St. FX/Cape Breton University Nursing Program, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Kennedy
Evelyn
E
Joint St. FX/Cape Breton University Nursing Program, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Walsh
Audrey
A
Joint St. FX/Cape Breton University Nursing Program, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Letourneau
Nicole
N
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Stewart
Miriam
M
Nursing Faculty, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires