Different trajectories of depressive symptoms during pregnancy

Myrthe G.b.m. Boekhorst*, Annemerle Beerthuizen, Joyce J Endendijk, Kiki E.m. Van Broekhoven, Anneloes Van Baar, Veerle Bergink, Victor J.M. Pop

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background
Up to 10–15% of women experience high levels of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Since these levels of symptoms can vary greatly over time, the current study investigated the existence of possible longitudinal trajectories of depressive symptoms during pregnancy, and aimed to identify factors associated with these trajectories.
Methods
Depressive symptoms were assessed prospectively at each trimester in 1832 women, using the Edinburgh (Postnatal) Depression Scale (E(P)DS). Growth mixture modeling was used to identify trajectories of depressive symptoms during pregnancy.
Results
Three trajectories of depressive symptoms (E(P)DS scores) were identified: low stable (class 1, reference group, 83%), decreasing (class 2, 7%), and increasing (class 3, 10%). Classes 2 and 3 had significantly higher mean E(P)DS scores (7–13 throughout pregnancy) compared to the reference group (stable; E(P)DS <4). Factors associated with trajectories 2 and 3 included previous depressive episodes, life events during pregnancy, and unplanned pregnancy. Notably, the only factor distinguishing classes 2 and 3 was the perception of partner involvement experienced by women during their pregnancies. Class 2 (with decreasing E(P)DS scores) reported high partner involvement, while class 3 (with increasing E(P)DS scores) reported poor partner involvement throughout pregnancy.
Limitations
Depressive symptoms were assessed by self-report rather than a diagnostic interview. The participants were more often both highly educated and of Caucasian ethnicity compared to the general Dutch population.
Conclusions
Poor partner involvement was associated with increasing depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Health professionals should focus on partner involvement during pregnancy in order to identify women who are potentially vulnerable for perinatal depression.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)139-146
JournalJournal of Affective Disorders
Volume248
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • ANXIETY
  • CLASS GROWTH ANALYSIS
  • Course
  • Growth mixture modeling
  • HETEROGENEITY
  • MATERNAL DEPRESSION
  • Maternal depressive symptoms
  • PARTNER SUPPORT
  • PERINATAL DEPRESSION
  • POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
  • POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
  • PREVALENCE
  • Partner involvement
  • Pregnancy
  • RISK-FACTORS
  • Trajectories

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