Depressive symptoms, stress, and social support in pregnant and postpartum adolescents
B. Barnet, A. Joffe, A. K. Duggan, M. D. Wilson and J. T. Repke
Department of Family Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
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 wee 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.
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
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
