Journal
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH
Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 156-161Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.12.003
Keywords
Depressive symptoms; Family sense of coherence; Pregnancy; Postpartum; Social support
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Funding
- University of Hong Kong
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Objectives: Postnatal depression has emerged as a major public health concern, which has deleterious effects on the well-being of the entire family. The aim of this study was to examine the predictive role of prenatal family sense of coherence, stress, social support and family, and marital functioning; the effect that any changes in these factors from pregnancy to postpartum; and partner's depressive symptoms on depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum. Methods: This study used a longitudinal design. A convenience sample of 200 childbearing couples in Hong Kong completed assessments of family sense of coherence, stress, social support, family, and marital functioning and depressive symptoms during pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. Multiple regression analyses were employed. Results: The results showed that a low level of family sense of coherence and a high level of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and partner's depressive symptoms were significantly associated with an increase in depressive symptoms for both mothers and fathers at 6 months postpartum. A lack of social support was significantly associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms for mothers, but not for fathers. Conclusion: The results suggest that couple-based interventions that foster a sense of family coherence may be helpful in promoting parental well-being. Well-designed trials to test the effects of such interventions are recommended for future research. (c) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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