Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Stability and change in depressive symptoms from pregnancy to two months postpartum in childbearing immigrant women

  • Original contribution
  • Published:
Archives of Women's Mental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The present study explored changes in mental health and functional status from pregnancy to 2 months postpartum in a sample of 106 childbearing immigrant women. Three sets of variables were examined in relation to postpartum depressive symptomatology: (1) prenatal depression, worries, and somatic symptoms; (2) social relationships (marital quality and social support), and (3) factors related to migration (premigration stress and length of stay in the host country). We found that 37.7% of the women in this community sample scored above the cutpoint of 12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; prenatal depressive and somatic symptoms, as well as marital quality, were the best predictors of postpartum depressive symptomatology. An examination of differing trajectories from pregnancy to the postpartum period suggests that women with relatively few somatic complaints, low levels of perinatal stress, and satisfactory marital relations were less likely to exhibit mental health problems during pregnancy and postpartum. Women who were not depressed prenatally but reported postpartum depressive symptomatology exhibited several predisposing risk factors during pregnancy: many somatic complaints, high perinatal anxiety, and premigration stress. Women who were depressed during pregnancy but not postpartum reported improved physical function after childbirth. The implications of these findings for screening childbearing immigrant women are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • MP Austin L Tully G Parker (2007) ArticleTitleExamining the relationship between antenatal anxiety and postnatal depression J Affect Disord 101 169–174 Occurrence Handle17196663 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.jad.2006.11.015

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J Baillargeon G Dubois R Marineau (1986) ArticleTitleTraduction francaise de l’Echelle d’adjustement dyadique Can J Behav Sci 18 25–34 Occurrence Handle10.1037/h0079949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Barrera (1983) ArticleTitleA method for the assessment of social support networks in community survey research Connections 3 8–13

    Google Scholar 

  • N Bashiri AM Spielvogel (1999) ArticleTitlePostpartum depression: a cross-cultural perspective Prim Care Update Ob Gyns 6 82–87 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S1068-607X(99)00003-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CT Beck RK Gable (2001) ArticleTitleComparative analysis of the performance of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale with two other depression instruments Nurs Res 50 242–250 Occurrence Handle11480533 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00006199-200107000-00008 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MvjtlCmtg%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O Bernazzani JF Saucier H David F Borgeat (1997) ArticleTitlePsychosocial factors related to emotional disturbances during pregnancy J Psychosom Res 42 391–402 Occurrence Handle9160278 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0022-3999(96)00371-6 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2szgtl2qsQ%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M Berthiaume H David J-F Saucier F Borgeat (1996) ArticleTitleCorrelates of gender role orientation during pregnancy and the postpartum Sex Roles 35 781–800 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01544092

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BR Blishen WK Carroll C Moore (1987) ArticleTitleThe 1981 socioeconomic index for occupations in Canada Can Rev Socio Anthropol 24 465–488 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1755-618X.1987.tb00639.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Boyd L Zayas M McKee (2006) ArticleTitleMother-infant interaction, life events and prenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms among urban minority women in primary care Matern Child Health J 10 139–148 Occurrence Handle16397831 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s10995-005-0042-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • RC Boyd HN Le R Somberg (2005) ArticleTitleReview of screening instruments for postpartum depression Arch Womens Ment Health 8 141–153 Occurrence Handle16133785 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00737-005-0096-6 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD2MrkvVemuw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • RH Bradley RF Corwyn (2002) ArticleTitleSocioeconomic status and child development Annu Rev Psychol 53 371–399 Occurrence Handle11752490 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.psych.53.100901.135233

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SB Campbell JF Cohn (1997) The timing and chronicity of postpartum depression: implications for infant development L Murray P Cooper (Eds) Postpartum depression and child development Guilford New York 165–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Canadian Task Force on Mental Health Issues Affecting Immigrants and Refugees (1988) Review of the literature on migrant mental health (No. c 96-37.1988E). Minister of Supply and Services Canada, Ottawa

  • JL Cox J Holden (1994) Perinatal psychiatry: use and misuse of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Gaskell London

    Google Scholar 

  • JL Cox JM Holden R Sagovsky (1987) ArticleTitleDetection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Br J Psychiatry 150 782–786 Occurrence Handle3651732 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaL1c%2FgtFahtw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10.1192/bjp.150.6.782

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R Dankner RP Goldberg RZ Fisch RM Crum (2000) ArticleTitleCultural elements of postpartum depression: a study of 327 Jewish Jerusalem women J Reprod Med 45 97–104 Occurrence Handle10710738 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c7ns1SksQ%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CL Dennis N Letourneau (2007) ArticleTitleGlobal and relationship-specific perceptions of support and the development of postpartum depressive symptomatology Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 42 389–395 Occurrence Handle17396205 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00127-007-0172-5

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • CL Dennis L Ross (2006) ArticleTitleDepressive symptomatology in the immediate postnatal period: identifying maternal characteristics related to true- and false-positive screening scores Can J Psychiatry 51 265–273 Occurrence Handle16986815

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • CL Dennis PA Janssen J Singer (2004) ArticleTitleIdentifying women at-risk for postpartum depression in the immediate postpartum period Acta Psychiatr Scand 110 338–346 Occurrence Handle15458557 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1600-0447.2004.00337.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • C Des Rivieres-Pigeon L Seguin JM Brodeur M Perreault G Boyer C Colin L Goulet (2000) ArticleTitleL’échelle de dépression postnatale d’Edimbourg: validité au Québec aupres de femmes de statut socio-économique faible Can J Commun Ment Health 19 201–214 Occurrence Handle12152176 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD38vgt1yiug%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MA Diego T Field M Hernandez-Reif (2005) ArticleTitlePrepartum, postpartum and chronic depression effects on neonatal behavior Infant Behav Dev 28 155–164 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.infbeh.2005.02.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Eberhard-Gran A Eskild K Tambs S Opjordsmoen SO Samuelsen (2001) ArticleTitleReview of validation studies of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Acta Psychiatr Scand 104 243–249 Occurrence Handle11722298 Occurrence Handle10.1034/j.1600-0447.2001.00187.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MnnsFCiuw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D Edge A Rogers (2005) ArticleTitleDealing with it: Black Caribbean women’s response to adversity and psychological distress associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood Soc Sci Med 61 15–25 Occurrence Handle15847958 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.11.047

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • L Garcia-Esteve C Ascaso J Ojuel P Navarro (2003) ArticleTitleValidation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in Spanish mothers J Affect Disord 75 71–76 Occurrence Handle12781353

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S Glasser V Barell A Shoham A Ziv V Boyko A Lusky S Hart (1998) ArticleTitleProspective study of postpartum depression in an Israeli cohort: prevalence, incidence and demographic risk factors J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 19 155–164 Occurrence Handle10.3109/01674829809025693 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M%2FmtVygtA%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D Goyal SO Murphy J Cohen (2006) ArticleTitleImmigrant Asian Indian women and postpartum depression J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 35 98–104 Occurrence Handle16466357 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1552-6909.2006.00007.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SL Grace A Evindar DE Stewart (2004) ArticleTitleThe effect of postpartum depression on child cognitive development and behavior: a review and critical analysis of the literature Arch Womens Ment Health 6 263–274 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00737-003-0024-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SB Green (1991) ArticleTitleHow many subjects does it take to do a regression analysis? Multivariate Behav Res 26 499–510 Occurrence Handle10.1207/s15327906mbr2603_7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B Harris P Huckle R Thomas S Johns H Fung (1989) ArticleTitleThe use of rating scales to identify post-natal depression Br J Psychiatry 154 813–817 Occurrence Handle2597888 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK3c%2FovFyhtw%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DC Hatton J Harrison-Hohner S Coste V Dorato LB Curet DA McCarron (2005) ArticleTitleSymptoms of postpartum depression and breastfeeding J Hum Lact 21 444–449 Occurrence Handle16280561 Occurrence Handle10.1177/0890334405280947

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MV Heilemann L Frutos KA Lee FS Kury (2004) ArticleTitleProtective strength factors, resources, and risks in relation to depressive symptoms among childbearing women of Mexican descent Health Care Women Int 25 88–106 Occurrence Handle14742112 Occurrence Handle10.1080/07399330490253265

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J Heron TG O’Connor J Evans J Golding V Glover InstitutionalAuthorNameALSPAC Study Team (2004) ArticleTitleThe course of anxiety and depression through pregnancy and the postpartum in a community sample J Affect Disord 80 65–73 Occurrence Handle15094259 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.jad.2003.08.004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • I Hyman (2004) ArticleTitleSetting the stage: reviewing current knowledge on the health of Canadian immigrants Can J Public Health 95 I4–I8 Occurrence Handle15191125

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • LJ Kirmayer (2001) ArticleTitleCultural variations in the clinical presentation of depression and anxiety: implications for diagnosis and treatment J Clin Psychiatry 62 22–28 Occurrence Handle11434415

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kirmayer LJ, Galbaud du Fort G, Young A, Weinfeld M, Lasry JC (1997) Pathways and barriers to mental health care in an urban multicultural milieu: an epidemiological and ethnographic study. Report 6. Culture and Mental Health Research Unit, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC

  • K Kroenke JL Jackson J Chamberlin (1997) ArticleTitleDepressive and anxiety disorders in patients presenting with physical complaints: clinical predictors and outcomes Am J Med 103 339–347 Occurrence Handle9375700 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0002-9343(97)00241-6 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c%2FktFGnug%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lepage L (1984) Adaptation et validation d’une mesure de réseau de support social applicable en soins infirmiers. Masters’ thesis, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec

  • J Milgrom J Ericksen L Negri AW Gemmill (2005) ArticleTitleScreening for postnatal depression in routine primary care: properties of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in an Australian sample Aust N Z J Psychiatry 39 833–839 Occurrence Handle16168042 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1440-1614.2005.01660.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J Miranda J Siddique C Der-Martirosian TR Belin (2005) ArticleTitleDepression among Latina immigrant mothers separated from their children Psychiatr Serv 56 717–720 Occurrence Handle15939949 Occurrence Handle10.1176/appi.ps.56.6.717

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mulvihill MA, Mailloux L, Atkin W (2001) Advancing policy and research responses to immigrant and refugee women’s health in Canada. The Centres of Excellence in Women’s Health, Canadian Women’s Health Network, Winnipeg, Manitoba, http://www.cewh-cesf.ca/PDF/cross_cex/im-ref-health.pdf

  • L Murray AD Carothers (1990) ArticleTitleThe validation of the Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale on a community sample Br J Psychiatry 157 288–290 Occurrence Handle2224383 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK3M%2FivVGgtg%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MW O’Hara AM Swain (1996) ArticleTitleRates and risk of postpartum depression – a meta-analysis Int Rev Psychiatry 8 37–54 Occurrence Handle10.3109/09540269609037816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K Onozawa RC Kumar D Adams C Dore V Glover (2003) ArticleTitleHigh EPDS scores in women from ethnic minorities living in London Arch Womens Ment Health 6 s51–s55 Occurrence Handle14615923 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00737-003-0006-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • A Parvin CE Jones SA Hull (2004) ArticleTitleExperiences and understandings of social and emotional distress in the postnatal period among Bangladeshi women living in Tower Hamlets Fam Pract 21 254–260 Occurrence Handle15128685 Occurrence Handle10.1093/fampra/cmh307

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • JG Ray MJ Vermeulen MJ Schull G Singh R Shah DA Redelmeier (2007) ArticleTitleResults of the Recent Immigrant Pregnancy and Perinatal Long-term Evaluation Study (RIPPLES) Can Med Assoc J 176 1419–1426 Occurrence Handle10.1503/cmaj.061680

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E Robertson S Grace T Wallington DE Stewart (2004) ArticleTitleAntenatal risk factors for postpartum depression: a synthesis of recent literature Gen Hosp Psychiatry 26 289–295 Occurrence Handle15234824 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2004.02.006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • C Rubertsson B Wickberg P Gustavsson I Radestad (2005) ArticleTitleDepressive symptoms in early pregnancy, two months and one year postpartum – prevalence and psychosocial risk factors in a national Swedish sample Arch Womens Ment Health 8 97–104 Occurrence Handle15883652 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00737-005-0078-8 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD2M3pvFOiuw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R Small J Lumley J Yelland (2003) ArticleTitleCross-cultural experiences of maternal depression: associations and contributing factors for Vietnamese, Turkish and Filipino immigrant women in Victoria, Australia Ethn Health 8 189–206 Occurrence Handle14577995 Occurrence Handle10.1080/1355785032000136416

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • R Small J Lumley J Yelland S Brown (2007) ArticleTitleThe performance of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in English speaking and non-English speaking populations in Australia Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 42 70–78 Occurrence Handle17102922 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00127-006-0134-3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • G Spanier (1976) ArticleTitleMeasuring dyadic adjustment: new scales for assessing the quality of marriage and similar dyads J Marriage Fam 38 15–28 Occurrence Handle10.2307/350547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • W Sword S Watt P Krueger (2006) ArticleTitlePostpartum health, service needs, and access to care experiences of immigrant and Canadian-born women J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 35 717–727 Occurrence Handle17105636 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1552-6909.2006.00092.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • JE Ware CD Sherbourne AR Davies (1992) Developing and testing the MOS 20-item short-form heath survey AL Stewart JE Ware (Eds) The medical outcomes study approach Duke University Press Durham, NC 277–290

    Google Scholar 

  • JM Youngblut D Brooten V Menzies (2006) ArticleTitlePsychometric properties of Spanish versions of the FACES II and Dyadic Adjustment Scale J Nurs Meas 14 181–189 Occurrence Handle17278338 Occurrence Handle10.1891/jnm-v14i3a003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • P Zelkowitz TH Milet (1995) ArticleTitleScreening for post-partum depression in a community sample Can J Psychiatry 40 80–86 Occurrence Handle7788622 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2MzgvVCgtA%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P Zelkowitz J Schinazi L Katofsky JF Saucier M Valenzuela R Westreich J Dayan (2004) ArticleTitleFactors associated with depression in pregnant immigrant women Transcult Psychiatry 41 445–464 Occurrence Handle15709645 Occurrence Handle10.1177/1363461504047929

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Sir Mortimer Davis Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    P. Zelkowitz

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Ste-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    J.-F. Saucier

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    T. Wang

  4. St. Mary’s Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    L. Katofsky

  5. Hôpital Ste-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    M. Valenzuela

  6. Department of Psychiatry, Sir Mortimer Davis Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    R. Westreich

Authors
  1. P. Zelkowitz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J.-F. Saucier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. L. Katofsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. Valenzuela
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. R. Westreich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Zelkowitz.

Additional information

Correspondence: Dr. Phyllis Zelkowitz, Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, 4333 Cote Ste Catherine Road, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3T 1E4

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zelkowitz, P., Saucier, JF., Wang, T. et al. Stability and change in depressive symptoms from pregnancy to two months postpartum in childbearing immigrant women. Arch Womens Ment Health 11, 1–11 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-008-0219-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-008-0219-y

Search

Navigation