 |
|
Depressive Symptoms, Stress, and Social Support in Pregnant and Postpartum Adolescents
Beth Barnet, MD;
Alain Joffe, MD, MPH;
Anne K. Duggan, ScD;
Michele D. Wilson, MD;
John T. Repke, MD
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1996;150(1):64-69.
Abstract
| |
Objective
To assess prospectively the incidence and course of depressive symptoms among pregnant and postpartum adolescents and explore the roles of stress and social support as influencing factors.
Methods
Pregnant teenagers attending a comprehensive adolescent pregnancy and parenting program were enrolled during their third trimester of pregnancy and followed up through 4 months post partum. Depressive symptoms and social support were measured with validated, self-administered instruments during the third trimester and at 2 and 4 months post partum. Stress was measured during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
Results
Study participants (N=125) were predominantly black (93%) and were aged 12 to 18 years. Completed assessments were obtained from 114 subjects at 2 months post partum and 108 at 4 months. Forty-two percent had significant depressive symptoms in the third trimester, with 36% and 32% having scores that indicated depression at 2 and 4 months post partum. Stress levels increased significantly from the third trimester to the postpartum period (P<.01) and were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Receiving social support from the adolescent's mother or the infant's father, especially in the postpartum period, was significantly associated with lower rates of depression. Reporting conflict with the infant's father was strongly associated with increased rates of depressive symptoms.
Conclusions
Results indicate that depressive symptoms are common among pregnant teenagers and postpartum adolescents. Stress and social support appear to be important mediators. Identifying those teenagers with high stress and conflict and low levels of support will help identify those who are at particular risk for depressive symptoms.
(Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1996;150:64-69)
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Family Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore (Dr Barnet); and Departments of Pediatrics (Drs Joffe, Duggan, and Wilson) and Obstetrics and Gynecology (Dr Repke), The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore. Dr Repke is now with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass.
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Double Jeopardy: Depressive Symptoms and Rapid Subsequent Pregnancy in Adolescent Mothers
Barnet et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008;162:246-252.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Home Visiting for Adolescent Mothers: Effects on Parenting, Maternal Life Course, and Primary Care Linkage
Barnet et al.
Ann Fam Med 2007;5:224-232.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Prediction of Postpartum Social Support and Symptoms of Depression in Pregnant Adolescents: A Pilot Study
Logsdon et al.
The Journal of School Nursing 2004;20:36-42.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Effect of Volunteer Home Visitation for Adolescent Mothers on Parenting and Mental Health Outcomes: A Randomized Trial
Barnet et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2002;156:1216-1222.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Management of Major Depression During Pregnancy
Hendrick and Altshuler
Am. J. Psychiatry 2002;159:1667-1673.
FULL TEXT
Ethnicity, Income, and Parenting Contexts of Physical Punishment in a National Sample of Families with Young Children
Wissow
Child Maltreat 2001;6:118-129.
ABSTRACT
Infanticide
Wissow
NEJM 1998;339:1239-1241.
FULL TEXT
Depression Among Pregnant Adolescents
Miller
Psychiatr. Serv. 1998;49:970-970.
FULL TEXT
Stress, Coping, and Social Support among Homeless Youth
Unger et al.
Journal of Adolescent Research 1998;13:134-157.
ABSTRACT
|
