Altered stress patterns and increased risk for postpartum depression among low-income pregnant women.
Postpartum depression (PPD) has been associated with a number of negative maternal and infant health outcomes. Despite these adverse health effects, few studies have prospectively examined patterns of pre- and postnatal stress that may increase a woman's risk for PPD. The current study examined whether the timing of altered salivary cortisol patterns and perceived stress levels during pregnancy and at 3 months postpartum was associated with PPD symptoms among 100 low-income mothers. Higher levels of PPD were found among women with a lower cortisol awakening response (first and second trimester), lower average daily cortisol (second trimester), a flatter diurnal cortisol pattern (second and third trimester and at 3 months postpartum), and a less abrupt drop in both cortisol and perceived stress from the third trimester to 3 months postpartum. These results support the need for early screening and regulation of stress levels to promote depression prevention efforts in at-risk populations.
Department of Psychology, California State University, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, 90840-0901, USA.
Kathryn
K
Scheyer
Department of Psychology, California State University, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, 90840-0901, USA. guido.urizar@csulb.edu.
Guido G
GG
Urizar
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007223:Infant; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D006854:Hydrocortisone
Cortisol; Perceived stress; Postpartum depression; Pregnancy