Risk factors for postnatal depression

A prospective longitudinal study of 620 women investigated the association between a range of risk factors and postnatal depression (PND). Univariate analyses of results demonstrated seven antenatal and three perinatal variables significantly associated with PND. Antenatal risk factors included relationship problems, antenatal depression and limited supports. These factors had previously been reported in the literature. Additionally this study highlighted the significance of domestic violence as a risk factor. Perinatal factors significantly associated with PND were severe blues/highs, no partner or support person at birth and dissatisfaction with care in labour. Logistic regression analysis of the 10 combined antenatal and perinatal risk factors demonstrated that only three factors were found to be significant predictors of depression in the final model. These were antenatal depression, severe blues/highs and dissatisfaction with care in labour. With these variables in the regression equation, none of the other risk factors were contributing significantly to the prediction of PND.