Chee CYI, Lee DTS, Chong YS, Tan LK, Ng TP, Fones CSL. Confinement and other psychosocial factors in perinatal depression: a transcultural study in Singapore.
J Affect Disord 2005;
89:157-66. [PMID:
16257451 DOI:
10.1016/j.jad.2005.09.004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2005] [Revised: 09/16/2005] [Accepted: 09/16/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
To investigate the prevalence, socio-cultural and psychosocial risk factors for perinatal depression in Singaporean women.
METHOD
A prospective cohort of 559 women was interviewed antenatally and at six weeks' postpartum at a tertiary hospital. Women were interviewed for diagnosis of depression using a two-stage design, with a screening questionnaire and diagnostic interview.
RESULTS
Postnatally, a negative confinement experience was associated with depression. Other independent factors included poor emotional support, a past history of depression, unplanned pregnancy and perceived potential conflicts with relatives over childcare antenatally and dissatisfaction, poor instrumental support postnatally. The prevalence of depression antenatally and postnatally was 12.2% and 6.8%, respectively.
LIMITATIONS
Measures of satisfaction with social support were based on self-report; there were high dropout rates at six weeks' postpartum; and other modulating social factors such as pre-existing interpersonal conflicts were not studied.
CONCLUSIONS
Perinatal depression in Singaporean women is common. Contrary to expectations, a negative 'confinement' experience is a significant risk factor for postnatal depression, and is not universally welcomed by women. Depression is modulated by dissimilar sets of psychosocial factors antenatally and postnatally.
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