title: Depression during pregnancy among young couples: the effect of personal and partner experiences of stressors and the buffering effects of social relationships.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the relationship between personal and romantic partner's experiences of stressful life events and depression during pregnancy, and the social moderators of this relationship, among 296 young couples with low incomes from urban areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited couples who were expecting a baby from four ob/gyn and ultrasound clinics in southern Connecticut; women were ages 14-21 and male partners were 14+.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed self-reports of stressful events in the previous six months, depression in the past week and current interpersonal social supports. To determine the influence of personal and partner experiences of stressful events on depression, we used multilevel dyadic models and incorporated interaction terms. We also used this model to determine whether social support, family functioning and relationship satisfaction moderated the association between stressful events and depression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Experiences of stressful life events were common; 91.2% of couples had at least one member report an event. Money, employment problems, and moving were the most common events. Personal experiences of stressful life events had the strongest association with depression among men and women; although partner experiences of stressful life events were also significantly associated with depression among women. Social support, family functioning, and romantic relationship satisfaction significantly buffered the association between personal and partner stressful events and depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions that improve relationships, support systems, and family functioning may reduce the negative impact of stressors, experienced both personally and by a romantic partner, on the emotional well-being of young expectant parents.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. aarnold@gc.cuny.edu
authors.forename: Anna A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Divney
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sipsma
authors.forename: Derrick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Niccolai
authors.forename: Urania
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Magriples
authors.forename: Trace
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kershaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult