Full text
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| Author(s): |
Gabriela Andrade da Silva
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | São Paulo. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Psicologia (IP/SBD) |
| Defense date: | 2008-12-12 |
| Examining board members: |
Emma Otta;
Fernando Jose Leite Ribeiro;
Carla Cristine Vicente
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| Advisor: | Emma Otta |
| Abstract | |
Postpartum depression (PPD) is characterized by symptoms, during the puerperium, like sadness, lack of interest and pleasure in activities, irritability, tearfulness, and the sensation of being unable to deal with new situations. In Brazil, studies report prevalences ranging from 13,4% to 37,1% for PPD. An evolutionary hypothesis predicts that the symptoms of PPD could influence the decision of the mother about her parental investment in situations related to costs to her adaptation. In case of childs health problem and/or lack of social support, it could be adaptive for the mother to reduce the parental investment, if this behavior could motivate individuals of the social net (e.g., the babys father and other relatives) to increase their investment. This study aimed to investigate from an evolutionary framework the prevalence and risk factors for PPD in low-income mothers from the Butantã district, in São Paulo. Structured interviews were carried out in three moments: during the third trimester of pregnancy; 0-3 days after delivery; and 2-4 months after delivery. 245 pregnant women who used the Public Health System participated of the first part of the study answering the Social Support Scale (SSS), the Colins Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) and other structured questions. In the last part of the study, 138 of the 245 mothers answered the Edinbourgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). This scale evaluates the intensity of depressive symptoms during the puerperium using self-report. Factor analyses indicated that the EPDS, the EAS and the EAA had satisfactory reliability. Using the cut-point of 11/12 in the EPDS, the prevalence of PPD was 26.8%. To find out the risk factors, the mothers were classified in three groups according to their scores on the EPDS: low (0-4), medium (5-10) and high (11-29). The high score group was sociated with studying until the end of the primary school; mothers having sons and/or daughters with previous partners; having a great number of sons and/or daughters, a great number of sons and/or daughters living in the home and a large number of adults : number of children living in the home ratio; previous history of depression; reporting not wanting the pregnancy; reporting pregnancy intercurrences; reporting low levels of affect and worry and high levels of rejection and punishment from the parents during childhood; evaluating the familiar environment during childhood as stressful; reporting high level of conflict in the relationship with the babys father; perceiving low social support; and patterns of attachment characterized by anxiety in relationships and difficulty in counting on the social net. A Multiple Logistic Regression resulted in a predictive model to the intensity of the depressive symptoms after delivery. The significant variables were: the factors of AAS Anxiety in relationships and Dificulty in counting on the social net; the factor Emotional and information support of the SSS; and whether the babys father is employed or not. The association between perception of low social support during pregnancy and high levels of PPD symptoms is in accordance with the evolutionary theory. The risk factors found on this research could guide the Public Health Programs in the prevention and treatment of PPD. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 05/03655-1 - Postpartum depression, child caring behaviors and mother-baby bonding |
| Grantee: | Gabriela Andrade da Silva |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |