title: Impact of childhood trauma on postpartum depression: a prospective study.
abstract: Studies on the impact of childhood trauma on postpartum depression show inconsistencies and methodological limitations. The present study examines the effect of childhood trauma on depression 12 and 24 weeks after childbirth, while controlling for history of depression, depression symptoms during pregnancy and type D personality. During the third trimester of pregnancy, 210 women completed self-report questionnaires assessing depression (current and/or past episodes), childhood trauma and type D personality, of whom 187 participated in the postpartum follow-up, with depression symptoms being reassessed at 12 and 24 weeks after delivery with three depression outcome measures. Eventually, 183 participants were retained for analysis. Results indicated no predictive value of childhood trauma on postpartum depression in the univariate analyses, nor after controlling for previous depression, depression symptoms during pregnancy and type D personality. However, past depression and depression symptoms during pregnancy did independently and convincingly predict postpartum depression, especially at 12 weeks and to a lesser extent at 24 weeks following childbirth. Overall, we found no significant association between childhood trauma and postpartum depression. Past depression and depression symptoms during pregnancy are more relevant factors to assess before childbirth.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Psychiatry, Campus University Hospital Antwerp (UZA), Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium. maud.de.venter@uza.be.|Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Antwerp, Belgium. maud.de.venter@uza.be.
authors.forename: Maud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Venter
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Department of Applied Psychology, Thomas More University College, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jorien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smets
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raes
authors.affiliation: Department of Scientific Coordination and Biostatistics, University Hospital Antwerp (UZA), Antwerp, Belgium.|Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kristien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.|Department of Health Care, Karel de Grote University College, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franck
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.|Department of Development and Regeneration, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanssens
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Fertility, University Hospital Antwerp (UZA), Antwerp, Belgium.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Antwerp (UA), Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jacquemyn
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Antwerp, Belgium.|University Department of Psychiatry, Campus Psychiatric Hospital Duffel, Duffel, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bernard G C
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Sabbe
authors.affiliation: University Department of Psychiatry, Campus University Hospital Antwerp (UZA), Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium.|Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Den Eede
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D064415:Type D Personality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Childhood trauma; Major depressive disorder; Postpartum depression; Type D personality