Predictors of Postpartum Depression in Partnered Mothers and Fathers from a Longitudinal Cohort

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a growing mental health concern in new mothers and fathers. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of depression at 3 months postpartum, comparing depressed couples to couples with only one depressed partner or no depressed partner, using data from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition study. Data from mothers and fathers were collected during the second trimester and at 3 months postpartum. Results showed predictors of PPD in mothers to be low household income, high prenatal depressive symptoms, and postnatally, low social support and higher number of stressful life events. Fathers had similar predictors, including low household income, high prenatal depressive symptoms, and postnatally low social support and smoking. Compared with non-depressed couples, factors that predicted PPD in both mothers and fathers in couples included low income, high prenatal depressive symptoms in mothers and low prenatal social support reported by fathers.