title: Correlates of Postpartum Maternal Functioning in a Low-Income Obstetric Population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Perinatal mental health has been characterized primarily via depression evaluation. However, there may be advantages to complementary assessment of postpartum functional status.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with maternal functioning in low-income obstetrics patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty-eight women receiving postpartum obstetrical care at a large medical center in medically underserved, Middle Georgia were screened for depressive symptoms with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The women also completed the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning and a sociodemographic survey. Multivariate analysis was performed to elucidate factors independently associated with maternal functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores ( p < .0001) and being married ( p = .043) were associated with decreased maternal functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health care providers should be cognizant of the relationship between postnatal depression and maternal functioning and its potential implications for family health.
authors.affiliation: 1 Jennifer L. Barkin, PhD, Mercer University, Macon, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Barkin
authors.affiliation: 2 Amy McKeever, PhD, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McKeever
authors.affiliation: 3 Brad Lian, PhD, Mercer University, Macon, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lian
authors.affiliation: 4 Stephen R. Wisniewski, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Wisniewski
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: maternal assessment; maternal functioning; postpartum assessment; postpartum functioning; postpartum health