title: Hospitalization-based treatment for postpartum depressed mothers and their babies: rationale, principles, and preliminary follow-up data.
abstract: This paper describes the rationale and treatment principles of a mother-infant unit for severely depressed mothers and their infants in Flanders (Belgium). The unit integrates systemic, psychodynamic, and cognitive behavioral treatment approaches, and aims at improvements on three levels: (1) improving mood and interpersonal relationships in depressed mothers, (2) fostering a positive mother infant relationship, and (3) establishing a supportive environment outside the treatment setting for both mother and infant. In addition, we present preliminary data of a 3.5-year naturalistic follow-up study of postpartum depressed mothers (n = 41) admitted at this mother-infant unit between April 2003 and April 2005. Results showed that at 3.5-year follow-up a considerable subgroup of mothers (61%) were functioning relatively well, as indicated by low levels of depressive symptoms, anxiety and anger, negative affect, and relatively high levels of positive affect. Yet, in line with other studies, a relatively large subgroup of mothers (39%) continued to suffer from (severe) depression during follow-up. Using a Life History Calendar method, it was found that, compared to currently nondepressed mothers, mothers who were depressed at follow-up did not have more depressive episodes but had longer depressive episodes, received more psychotherapy after hospitalization, and experienced more negative life events during the 3.5-year follow-up period. Implications of these findings for future research and intervention strategies in postpartum depression are discussed.
authors: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium. nicole.vliegen@ppw.kuleuven.be
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Vliegen
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Casalin
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Luyten
authors: Ria
authors: R
authors: Docx
authors: Marijs
authors: M
authors: Lenaerts
authors: Eileen
authors: E
authors: Tang
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Kempke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001530:Belgium; D002657:Child Development; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration; D006757:Hospital Units; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology