title: Perinatal Depression and Patterns of Attachment: A Critical Risk Factor?
abstract: Background. This study aims to verify if the presence and severity of perinatal depression are related to any particular pattern of attachment. Methods. The study started with a screening of a sample of 453 women in their third trimester of pregnancy, who were administered a survey data form, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Experience in Close Relationship (ECR). A clinical group of subjects with perinatal depression (PND, 89 subjects) was selected and compared with a control group (C), regarding psychopathological variables and attachment patterns. Results. The ECR showed a prevalence of "Fearful-Avoidant" attachment style in PND group (29.2% versus 1.1%, p < 0.001); additionally, the EPDS average score increases with the increasing of ECR dimensions (Avoidance and Anxiety). Conclusion. The severity of depression increases proportionally to attachment disorganization; therefore, we consider attachment as both an important risk factor as well as a focus for early psychotherapeutic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Meuti
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aceti
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giacchetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe Mattia
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Carluccio
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaccagni
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Science, Faculty of Political Science, Sociology, Communication, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 113, 00198 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Orazio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Giancola
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological, Obstetric and Urological Science, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ciolli
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biondi