The role of dysfunctional attitudes towards motherhood in postpartum depressive symptoms and disorder

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the commonest postpartum psychiatric condition, with prevalence rates around 20%(1). PPD is associated with a range of adverse outcomes for both the mother and infant(2). Therefore, identifying modifiable risk factors for perinatal depression is an important public health issue(3). OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of dysfunctional attitudes towards motherhood in postpartum depressive symptoms and disorder. METHODS: 247 women were evaluated in the third (12.08±4.25 weeks) and sixth months (31.52± 7.16 weeks) postpartum with the Attitudes Towards Motherhood Scale(4), the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale(5) and the Diagnostic Interview for Psychological Distress-Postpartum(6). Correlation analysis was performed followed by linear/logistic regression analysis when the coefficients proved significant (p<.05), using SPSS. RESULTS: Dysfunctional beliefs towards motherhood concerning judgement by others and maternal responsibility positively correlated with depressive symptoms at the third (.528; .406) and the sixth months (.506; .492) postpartum. Those dysfunctional beliefs were predictors of depressive symptoms at the third (ß=.440; ß=.151) and sixth months (ß=.322; ß.241) explaining 29.4% and 30.2% of its variance, respectively. Having dysfunctional beliefs at the third month significantly increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with Major Depression (DSM5) both in the third (Wald=9.992, OR=1.169; Wald=16.729, OR=1.231) and sixth months (Wald=5.638, OR=1.203; Wald=7.638, OR=1.301) (all p<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive distortions should be included in the assessment of risk factors for PPD. Early identification of women presenting motherhood-specific cognitive biases may be crucial for implementing preventive interventions favoring a more positive and healthier motherhood experience. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.