title: Social relationships and postpartum depression in South Asia: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence suggests a much higher prevalence of postpartum depression in South Asia than in 'western' contexts.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a rapid systematic review of evidence on the association between social relationships and postpartum depression in South Asia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Studies meeting the selection and quality criteria were analysed and integrated in a narrative review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine mostly quantitative studies were included in the review. Low support and poor relationships with the husband and parents-in-law were associated with postpartum depression, although associations were weakened in multivariate analyses. The different dimensions of support have not yet been systematically investigated and the likely complex interrelationships between social relationship risk factors are not yet well understood.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings mirror those from 'western' contexts, showing the key role of social relationships in the aetiology of postpartum depression. Yet, they also reinforce the hypothesis that the social and cultural context influences the association. The importance of relationships with the extended family, as well as the husband, in South Asia is highlighted. Further research is recommended to develop an understanding of these relationships to better inform interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.
authors.forename: Eleri
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Ernestina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coast
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D012944:Social Support