Single motherhood versus poor partner relationship: outcomes for antenatal mental health.
OBJECTIVE
In the transition to parenthood, lack of social support significantly impacts on maternal mood. This paper compares the influence of single-mother status and level of partner support in a partnered relationship, on antenatal emotional health.


METHODS
Antenatal demographic, psychosocial and mental health data, as determined by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score, were collected from 1578 women. The association between these variables, and marital status, was investigated using logistic regression.


RESULTS
Sixty-two women (3.9%) were identified as single/unpartnered. Elevated EPDS scores (>12) were found in 15.2% (240/1578) of the total cohort and 25.8% (16/62) of the single/unpartnered women. EPDS scores were significantly lower for single/unpartnered women than for women with unsupportive partners (8.9+/-5.3 vs 11.9+/-6.5, p<0.001). Compared to the partnered cohort, single/unpartnered women were more likely to have experienced >or=2 weeks of depression before the current pregnancy (p<0.05), a previous psychopathology (p<0.001), emotional problems during the current pregnancy (p<0.01) and major life events in the last year (p<0.01). Binary logistic regression modelling to predict antenatal EPDS scores suggests that this is mediated by previous psychiatric history (p<0.001) and emotional problems during pregnancy (p=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Women in a partnered-relationship with poor partner-derived support were at an increased risk of elevated antenatal EPDS scores compared to single/unpartnered women. A previous history of depression and current emotional problems, rather than single mother status, were significant risk factors for elevated EPDS scores. The present study reiterates the contribution of psychosocial risk factors as important mediators of antenatal emotional health.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Vic., Australia. justin.bilszta@austin.org.au
Justin L C
JL
Bilszta
Melissa
M
Tang
Denny
D
Meyer
Jeannette
J
Milgrom
Jennifer
J
Ericksen
Anne E
AE
Buist
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015406:Single Parent / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*