Predictors of postpartum adjustment

Identification of women at risk for problems in postpartum adaptation could allow interventions that might prevent difficulties. Eighty-five women were followed from the second trimester of pregnancy to 12 months postpartum. One year postnatally, 27 women were found to have low global severity index scores on the Symptom Check List (SCL-90) (less than or equal to 0.16), while 17 women had high global severity index scores (greater than or equal to 0.46). The high scoring group were also significantly more dissatisfied with their marriages and their partners. The high scorers also had significantly higher global severity index scores and lower intimacy with spouse scores when measured at 12-16 weeks gestation. The SCL-90 and the Miller Social Intimacy Scale, when used in the second trimester of pregnancy, appear to predict the women who may have adjustment problems in the postpartum period.