Postpartum depression: what we know

TLDR

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious, prevalent mental health problem that increases developmental risks for offspring and is linked to past depression, stressful life events, poor marital relationships, and low social support; public health efforts to detect PPD are growing, and standard treatments such as Interpersonal Psychotherapy are effective, though prevention efforts have been less consistent. The authors call for future research to investigate epidemiological risk factors and prevalence, parenting interventions for PPD mothers, specific diathesis in a subset of PPD, effectiveness trials of psychological interventions, and prevention strategies targeting mental health issues in pregnant women. The review proposes research methods that include epidemiological studies, parenting-focused interventions, diathesis investigations, psychological intervention trials, and prevention programs for pregnant women. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Abstract

Abstract Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health problem. It is prevalent, and offspring are at risk for disturbances in development. Major risk factors include past depression, stressful life events, poor marital relationship, and social support. Public health efforts to detect PPD have been increasing. Standard treatments (e.g., Interpersonal Psychotherapy) and more tailored treatments have been found effective for PPD. Prevention efforts have been less consistently successful. Future research should include studies of epidemiological risk factors and prevalence, interventions aimed at the parenting of PPD mothers, specific diathesis for a subset of PPD, effectiveness trials of psychological interventions, and prevention interventions aimed at addressing mental health issues in pregnant women. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65:1–12, 2009.