Predicting postpartum post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms in low-risk women from distal and proximal factors: a biopsychosocial prospective study using structural equation modeling

Abstract

Purpose: Posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and depression (PPD) are common mental disorders in the postpartum that constitute a threat both to the mother and the baby. It is unclear whether both disorders share similar antecedents, which is important to plan efficient interventions. The goal of this study was to examine the contribution of set of biopsychosocial predictors on both PTSD and PPD.

Methods: The study design was prospective. The study was conducted at Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, a public university hospital located in the south of Madrid (Spain). The sample was composed of 116 pregnant women with low pregnancy risk. STROBE reporting guidelines were followed.

Results: The multivariate results show that psychopathology severity assessed during the first trimester (ß = 0.50, p < .001) and the Apgar score 5 min after delivery (ß = − 0.19, p = .030) were the two variables to significantly contribute to postpartum depressive symptoms. Conversely, only satisfaction with home care after delivery was independently associated with postpartum posttraumatic stress (ß = − 0.26, p = .016). The proposed model explained 21.8% of the variance of postpartum depressive symptoms (p = .041) and 27.1% of the variance of posttraumatic stress symptoms (p = .014).

Conclusion: Special attention should be given to shared and unique predictive factors of PDD and PTSD to develop effective prevention programs in perinatal care.