E-ISSN : 2733-4538
The aim of the present research was to test prospectively the utility of a vulnerability-stress model of postpartum depression. Three hundred and thirty women were recruited both through the obstetrics department of a large hospital and private practices. During pregnancy(before the second trimester), sociodemographic variables, depressive symptomatology, intrapersonal vulnerpersonal vulnerability variable(marital adjustment) were assessed. About a month after delivery, the second questionnaire packet assessing depression symptomatology and child-rearing stress was sent by mail, 33.8%(N=9S) of which was completed and returned. Results demonstrated that 22.3% of the sample reported elevated levels of depressive symptomatology(BDI ≥ 16). Results of multiple hierarchical regression analysis indicated that 69.2% of the variance in postpartum depression was accounted by depression history, depressive symptomatology during pregnancy, child-rearing stress and marital adjustment. Overall, results supported the stress-vulnerability model and impications for prevention of postpartum depression were discussed.