Developmental model of depression applied to prenatal depression: role of present and past life events, past emotional disorders and pregnancy stress.
BACKGROUND
Several risk factors for depression during pregnancy have already been established. However, very few studies have conducted a multivariate analysis incorporating both the major predictors of depression in women, in accordance with comprehensive developmental models of depression, and specific stressors associated with the biological and psychosocial state of the mother-to-be.


RESULTS
We used a cross-sectional cohort design to analyze the associations between prenatal depression and potential risk factors. 693 French-speaking women with singleton pregnancies at 20-28 weeks' gestation were consecutively recruited at Caen University Hospital. Fifty women with missing values were subsequently excluded from the analysis. Depressive symptoms were assessed on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Risk factors were either extracted from the computerized obstetric records or assessed by means of self-administered questionnaires. The associations between prenatal depression and the potential risk factors were assessed using log-binomial regression models to obtain a direct estimate of relative risk (RR). The following factors were found to be significant in the multivariate analysis: level of education (p<0.001), past psychiatric history (adjusted RR=1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1;2.8, p=0.014), stress related to the health and viability of the fetus (adjusted RR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.6;4.1, p<0.001), and stress related to severe marital conflicts (adjusted RR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.5;3.9, p<0.001) or to serious difficulties at work (adjusted RR=1.6, 95% CI :1.04;2.4, p=0.031). An association was also found with the previous delivery of a child with a major or minor birth defect (adjusted RR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.04;4.0, p=0.038). Univariate analyses revealed a strong association with childhood adversity (parental rejection: RR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.2;2.8, p=0.0055 and family secrets: RR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.2;3.1, p=0.0046) and with lack of partner support (RR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.30;0.84, p=0.0086).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study identifies several risk factors that could easily be assessed in clinical practice. It draws attention to the impact of previously delivering a child with a birth defect. The association with childhood adversity warrants further study.
Dayan
Jacques
J
Department of Child Psychiatry/INSERM U923, Caen University Hospital, Caen, France. jcdayan@gmail.com
Creveuil
Christian
C
Dreyfus
Michel
M
Herlicoviez
Michel
M
Baleyte
Jean-Marc
JM
O'Keane
Veronica
V
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult