Characterizing Social Determinants of Health for Adolescent Mothers during the Prenatal and Postpartum Periods

PurposeSignificant racial disparities and continuing poor birth outcomes make adolescent pregnancy a significant public health concern in the United States despite declining pregnancy rates. Social determinants of health are associated with increased likelihood of pregnancy and poor maternal and child health outcomes. This study aims to characterize specific elements of social determinants of health in a cohort of predominantly Latina adolescent mothers.MethodsBetween February 2007 and August 2008, 106 pregnant adolescents participated in a study with assessments at 20 to 24 weeks of gestation, and at 3 and 6 months postpartum. Survey questions addressed residential mobility, financial support and childcare, and perceived need for and use of community resources. Comparative analysis assessed differences between adolescents by age (<16 vs. ≥16 years old) and ethnicity (Latina vs. non-Latina).FindingsAdolescent mothers experienced high rates of residential mobility, with 59.4% moving at least once in the year before their prenatal survey. Participants relied primarily on public aid (94–96%) and their parents (81–85%) for financial support. Latina participants were more likely than non-Latinas to rely on public aid. Although many participants reported needing financial support and housing, few used available services. Younger adolescents relied less often on the father of the baby for support than older adolescents.ConclusionsAdolescent mothers' high rates of residential mobility and increasing reliance on public assistance highlight resource gaps that potentially put them and their children at risk for poor outcomes. Targeted efforts to augment systemic support in these domains are a critical component of addressing health disparities for this population.     

产后抑郁症影响因素的病例对照研究

目的探讨影响产后抑郁发生的社会心理因素,为预防产后抑郁症提供理论依据。方法采用1：1配对的病例—对照流行病学研究设计,选择确诊的100例产后抑郁症患者为病例;同时选择就诊的非抑郁症产妇,以年龄（相差1岁以内）为配比变量,与病例1：1相匹配者为对照。通过问卷调查的方法收集2组人群的社会人口学特征、夫妻关系、母女关系、分娩情况、家庭经济收入及对婴儿性别的是否满意等信息。问卷的分析和统计采用单因素及多因素的条件logistic回归分析。结果产后抑郁症患者与丈夫关系融洽度低于对照组,且有统计学意义（OR=0.232,95%CI：0.103～0.526）;对照组母女关系融洽度高于病例组,且有统计学意义（OR=0.590,95%CI：0.352～0.988）;病例组孕期有负性生活事件的危险性高于对照组,且有统计学意义（OR=2.469,95%CI：1.098～5.553）;产后抑郁症患者家庭经济收入稳定性低于对照组,且有统计学意义（OR=0.243,95%CI：0.093～0.634）。结论孕期发生负性生活事件可能增加孕妇发生产后抑郁症的危险性,产妇与丈夫及母亲关系融洽、家庭经济收入稳定可降低产妇产后抑郁症的发生。     

The Relationship Between Parental Stress and Postpartum Depression Among Adolescent Mothers Enrolled in a Randomized Controlled Prevention Trial

Given the high co-occurrence of depression and parental stress among adolescent mothers, we evaluated the relationship between parental stress and postpartum depression among primiparous adolescent mothers. We conducted an observational analysis among a cohort of 106 adolescent mothers at 289 postpartum visits who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial to prevent postpartum depression. Parental stress was measured using the Parenting Stress Index, short form. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Childhood Diagnoses was administered to assess for postpartum depression; subthreshold depression was assessed using the Children’s Depression Rating Scale, revised version. Generalized estimating equations were utilized to assess the relationship of parental stress on postpartum depression during the first 6 months postpartum. We present adjusted odds ratios (AOR) controlling for study arm, age, born in the United States, prior history of depression, and number of study visits. The median age was 16 years, 53 % were Latina, and 16 % reported a past history of depression. Nineteen adolescents (19 %) were diagnosed with postpartum depression and 25 % experienced high levels of parental stress through 6 months postpartum. Adolescent mothers who reported higher levels of parental stress were at significantly increased risk for postpartum depression [AOR 1.06 (95 % CI 1.04–1.09); p < 0.0001]. High levels of parental stress predicted subsequent postpartum depression when assessing parental stress at visits prior to a depression diagnosis to determine whether we could establish a temporal association [AOR 1.06 (95 % CI 1.02–1.09); p < 0.01]. Parental stress was also a risk factor for subthreshold depression [AOR 1.04 (95 % CI 1.01–1.07); p < 0.01]. Parental stress was a significant risk factor for developing both postpartum depression as well as subthreshold depression among adolescent mothers. Interventions that target a reduction in parental stress may lead to less depression severity among primiparous adolescent mothers.     

Quality of Life in Depression: Predictive Models

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive factors of quality of life for inpatients with depressive disorders. Eighty-three patients (mean age 44; 73% female) with depressive disorders were recruited from the psychosomatic ward of a medical center in the northern part of Taiwan. The predictive models of this study were established by encompassing three constructs: clinical variables, demographics, and perceived competence. The outcome variables of this study included an overall quality of life score and four domains’ scores of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). Stepwise regression analysis was used to identify significant factors related to the outcome variables. The results showed that there were five distinct models for the various domains of the quality of life. The predictive variables of the final model for overall quality of life included: the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure-satisfaction, and the Occupational Self Assessment-self. For the physical domain of the quality of life model, the adjusted Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Activity of Daily Living Inventory were the significant predictors. In the psychological domain, the adjusted Beck Depression Inventory-II and age were the predictive factors. The adjusted Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Occupational Self Assessment-environment were the predictors for the social domain of quality of life. Finally, the adjusted Beck Depression Inventory-II, age, and the Occupational Self Assessment-environment were the predictors for the environmental domain of quality of life. The significance of the perceived competence variables in the quality of life of patients with depression indicates that occupational therapy intervention is warranted.     

Postpartum Contraception and Interpregnancy Intervals Among Adolescent Mothers Accessing Public Services in California

Objective To determine the association of age at index birth with postpartum contraceptive use and optimal interpregnancy interval (IPI, defined as delivery to next pregnancy >18 months), controlling for provider type and client demographics among adolescent mothers who have repeat pregnancies. Methods California’s 2008 birth records were linked to California’s Medi-Cal and Family PACT claims data to identify 26,393 women with repeat births between 2002 and 2008, whose index birth occurred as an adolescent, and who received publicly-funded services within 18 months after the index birth. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between timing of contraception provision and interpregnancy intervals, adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Results Seventy-eight percent of adolescent women did not receive contraception at their first postpartum visit, and twenty-eight percent of adolescent women never received contraception from a Family PACT or Medi-Cal provider. Adolescents who were older at their index birth had lower rates of optimal IPIs. Native American, Asian-Pacific Islander and Latina women had lower rates of optimal IPIs compared to white women. Compared to those using only barrier methods, adolescent women receiving highly effective contraceptive methods had a 4.25 times higher odds of having an optimal IPI than those receiving hormonal methods (OR 2.10), or using no method (OR 0.70). Conclusion Effective postpartum contraceptive use and being a Family PACT provider were associated with optimal birth spacing among adolescent mothers, yet racial and ethnic disparities persisted. A missed opportunity was the provision of contraception at the first postpartum visit. Providers should aim to remove barriers to initiation of contraception at this visit.     

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression Among Latinas

Maternal and Child Health Journal - The purpose of this article was to describe the findings from a systematic review, quality review, and meta-analysis of risk factors for postpartum depression...     

High Risk Behavior Among Adolescent Mothers: The Problem in Context

Poverty, illiteracy and school dropout are among the factors that leave adolescents at risk of engaging in unprotected sex and substance use. Adolescent women are especially at risk for sexual exploitation and lack of power in decision making about substance use. Gender-specific consequences of high risk behaviors are unintended pregnancies, lifelong maternal and child poverty, developmental disabilities and poor school performance. Prevention efforts include community and school-based programs that provide high yield leisure time activities and services that promote school retention. Social policy changes are also needed to promote quality education and career preparation that interrupts multigenerational patterns of teen pregnancy, child maltreatment and other social ills.     

产褥期抑郁及其社会影响因素分析

目的 研究产褥期妇女抑郁状态的影响因素.方法 按随机分层抽样方法确定潍坊市5家医院作为调查点,从在以上医院分娩的产妇中采用单纯随机抽样方法确定调查对象,在产妇分娩后6周内对调查对象采取面对面访谈形式获取现状资料,用SDS量表测评产褥期妇女的抑郁状态,应用四格表或R×C表χ2检验对可能的抑郁影响因素进行了探讨.结果 "居住地"、"年龄"、"产妇职业状况"、"家庭年均收入"4个因素对产褥期抑郁有影响作用.结论 居住农村、农民职业、产妇高龄、家庭低收入均能导致产褥期抑郁的发生.     

Intendedness of Pregnancy and Other Predictive Factors for Symptoms of Prenatal Depression in a Population-Based Study

Prenatal depression (PD) as a risk factor for adverse birth outcomes is well documented. Less is known about maternal risks for PD, which could inform preventive strategies for perinatal and interconceptional care. This exploratory study investigates associations between prenatal depression symptoms and unintended and mistimed pregnancies and other maternal risk factors for PD. A subset of birth records from the New York Statewide Perinatal Data System (n = 19,219) was used in this secondary analysis of cross-sectional data. Univariate and multivariate multinomial regression was used to identify factors that are independently associated with four self-reported levels of prenatal depression symptoms. Women with unintended pregnancies were more likely (AOR, 95 % CI) to report severe (3.6, 2.6–5.1) or moderate (2.0, 1.6–2.5) prenatal depression symptoms and less likely to report no symptoms, compared to women with intended pregnancies. Likewise, women with mistimed pregnancies were more likely to report severe (2.7, 2.2–3.5) or moderate (1.7, 1.5–2.1) prenatal depression symptoms than no symptoms, compared to women with intended pregnancies. Low education, drug use, smoking, minority race, being unmarried and having Medicaid insurance were also significant, independent predictors of PD symptoms. Results suggest that routine screening for depression, intendedness of pregnancy and other associated risk factors such as smoking and drug use during prenatal and interconceptional care visits may enable coordinated interventions that can reduce prenatal depression and unintended and mistimed pregnancies and improve pregnancy outcomes.     

The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale-Spanish Version: Examining the Psychometric Properties and Prevalence of Risk for Postpartum Depression

The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) has been recently used to assess postpartum depression (PPD) in ethnic minority women, including Spanish-speaking Latinas from predominantly Mexico and Puerto Rico. Given the heterogeneity in the countries of origin for Spanish-speaking immigrants to the U.S., this study examined the psychometric properties and prevalence of PPD risk of the Spanish version of the PDSS in a sample of Latina immigrant mothers from predominantly El Salvador and other Central American countries. One hundred and 55 Latina immigrants (El Salvador: n = 91, Other Central America: n = 40, Mexico: n = 24) at high risk for PPD, who were part of a preventive intervention trial, participated in this study at 6–8 weeks postpartum. Results indicate that the PDSS had excellent internal consistency. The seven dimensions of the PDSS had good to excellent internal consistencies, with lower alphas for the Anxiety/Insecurity subscale. Approximately two-thirds (63.9%) of the women scored above the clinical cut-off score (≥60) for combined major/minor PPD on the PDSS-Spanish version. Additional research is needed to further validate the PDSS-Spanish version in clinical research and community settings.     

Factors Associated With Postpartum Depression in Chilean Women

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of postpartum depression in a regular clinical setting among Chilean women. The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale, Spanish Version was used to assess symptoms of depression. Chilean women (45%) reported depressive symptoms including suicidal thoughts, sleeping/eating disturbances, and emotional stability. Factors that predicted the probability of PPD included attitudes concerning pregnancy, social support, and tobacco use. Routine screening for PPD could make a difference in prevention, prompt diagnosis, and management of postpartum depression in developing countries.     

Prenatal Predictors of Maternal Attachment and Their Association with Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Mexican Women at Risk of Depression

Objectives Although maternal attachment is an important predictor of infant developmental outcomes, little is known about its pre- and postnatal predictors. The purpose of this secondary data analysis is to assess several risk factors for maternal attachment at 6 months postpartum in a sample of Mexican women at risk of depression. The predictors included were prenatal depressive symptoms, pregnancy intendedness, partner relationship, social support, maternal history of childhood sexual abuse, and postpartum depressive symptoms. Methods A total of 156 pregnant women seeking antenatal care at three health centers were selected because they displayed depressive symptoms (CES-D?≥?16) or had previously suffered depression. Women were interviewed during pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. A step-wise multivariate logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the pre- and postpartum risk factors for postpartum depression related to low maternal attachment. Results Pre- and postpartum depressive symptoms increased the risk of low maternal attachment by factors of 3.00 and 3.97, respectively, compared with women who did not present these symptoms; low level of adjustment with the partner increased the risk by a factor of 3.11, low social support by a factor of 2.90, and CSA by a factor of 2.77. Conclusions for practice Prevention programs during pregnancy to reduce depressive symptoms should strengthen strategies to promote maternal attachment by improving partner relations and increasing social support. However, evidence shows that such programs alone are insufficient, so direct interventions should also be implemented. Women with a history of childhood sexual abuse should be given additional attention during prenatal care.     

Adolescent Mothers and Their Children:

No abstract available for this article.     

Occurrence and Correlates of Postpartum Depression in Overweight and Obese Women: Results from the Active Mothers Postpartum (AMP) Study

Objective Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant concern for new mothers and their infants, as well as the health professionals who care for them. Obesity may be a risk factor for depression, and therefore, for PPD specifically. We examined the occurrence and risk factors for PPD in a sample of overweight and obese new mothers. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 491 women who were overweight or obese prior to pregnancy completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) 6 weeks postpartum, along with a number of other health- and pregnancy-related measures. Occurrence of depression was investigated, as well as bivariate and multivariate relationships between depression and demographic and health-related characteristics. Results As determined by an EPDS score of 13 or higher, the prevalence of PPD was 9.2%. Three items on the scale stood out as drivers of the total score (“blame myself unnecessarily”, “anxious or worried,” “feel overwhelmed”). Bivariate correlates of depression included education, income, marital status, and self-reported chronic illness; income remained significant in the multivariate logistic regression model. BMI was not related to postpartum depression. Discussion In this group of overweight and obese women, there was no association between BMI group and postpartum depression.     

Risk Factors for Sub-Clinical and Major Postpartum Depression Among a Community Cohort of Canadian Women

Objectives To identify prenatal and perinatal factors that predict women at risk of sub-clinical and major postpartum depression among a cohort of low medical risk pregnant women in Canada. Methods Data from 1,403 women who completed a randomized controlled trial of supplementary support during pregnancy was analyzed to identify risk factors for sub-clinical and major postpartum depression. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), completed at eight weeks postpartum, was used to classify each woman’s depression symptom severity. Demographic, obstetric, behavioral risk, mental health and psychosocial factors were considered. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors most predictive of sub-clinical and major postpartum depression. Results After adjustment for other covariates, variables that increased the risk of sub-clinical postpartum depression included a history of depression (OR = 2.27, CI = 1.42–3.63), anxiety symptoms during pregnancy (OR = 2.12, CI = 1.09–4.11), being born outside Canada (OR = 1.87, CI = 1.17–3.00), and low parenting self-efficacy (OR = 1.65, CI = 1.06–2.55). Variables that increased the risk of major postpartum depression included a history of depression (OR = 2.78, CI = 1.56–4.97), being born outside Canada (OR = 2.97, CI = 1.70–5.17), depressive symptoms during pregnancy (OR = 2.83, CI = 1.29–6.19) and not breastfeeding at eight weeks postpartum (OR = 2.12, CI = 1.21–3.70). Conclusions A history of depression and being born outside Canada predicted women who were at an increased risk of sub-clinical and major postpartum depression. The remaining risk factors specific to sub-clinical and major postpartum depression suggest some differences between women vulnerable to sub-clinical compared to major depressive symptoms in the postpartum period, which may have implications for targeted screening and intervention strategies.