Research Article

A multirisk approach to predicting chronicity of postpartum depression symptoms

  1. Claudia M. Klier M.D.1,*,
  2. Katherine L. Rosenblum Ph.D.2,
  3. Maria Zeller M.D.3,
  4. Kornelia Steinhardt Ph.D.4,
  5. Niels Bergemann M.D. Ph.D.5,
  6. Maria Muzik M.D.2,6

Article first published online: 26 AUG 2008

DOI: 10.1002/da.20419

Issue

Depression and Anxiety

Depression and Anxiety

Volume 25, Issue 8, pages 718–724, August 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Klier, C. M., Rosenblum, K. L., Zeller, M., Steinhardt, K., Bergemann, N. and Muzik, M. (2008), A multirisk approach to predicting chronicity of postpartum depression symptoms. Depress. Anxiety, 25: 718–724. doi: 10.1002/da.20419

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

  2. 2

    Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  3. 3

    Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

  4. 4

    Institute of Education Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

  5. 5

    Department of Psychiatry, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

  6. 6

    Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

*Department of Psychiatry, University of Vienna. Vienna General Hospital, Waehringerguertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 AUG 2008
  2. Article first published online: 26 AUG 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 19 SEP 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 6 SEP 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 29 MAR 2007

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Keywords:

  • postpartum depression;
  • screening;
  • psychosocial risk;
  • chronic depression

Abstract

Background: Persistence of postpartum depression (PPD) carries potential adverse implications for the emerging mother–child relationship and for child development. Methods: This study was designed to investigate factors related to the onset and persistence of PPD; in particular, we examined the cumulative effect of a range of psychosocial risk factors in predicting chronic PPD symptoms. One hundred and five women were interviewed at three assessment periods: within the first days after childbirth, at 6 months, and at 18 months postpartum. Results: Depressive symptoms at 6 months predicted 18 months depressive symptoms, even when controlling for the contribution of maternal depression at birth. Psychosocial risk had a moderating influence on the stability of depressive symptomatology. Women with two or more risk factors at birth were more likely to have stable depressive symptomatology across the infants' first 18 months of life. Conclusion: To prevent a chronic course of PPD it may be necessary to identify both depressive symptoms and relevant psychosocial risk factors. Depression and Anxiety 25:718–724, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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