1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« In this prospective study, we analyzed the associations between chronic stressors, life events and social support, as measured at the third week post-partum, and post-natal depressive symptomatology at both the third and the ninth week postpartum. » (p. 59)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« Two groups of women were recruited. The first group was composed of women of low SES, defined as having no more than 11 years of schooling and a household income below the poverty level as defined by the Canadian Council of Social Development. The second group was formed by women of high SES recruited at the same hospital clinics. High SES was defined as having at least 12 years of schooling and a household income at least one and a half times the poverty level. In addition, the following inclusion criterias were defined for both groups: women had to be nulliparous, at least 18 years of age, French-speaking, and born in the province of Quebec. Lastly, mothers whose baby was hospitalized for more than two weeks immediately after birth were excluded from the analyses. » (p. 59)

Instruments :
- Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, Rush, Shaw and Emery, 1979);
- Life Conditions Questionnaire (Makosky, 1982);
- Forme traduite du Spanier’s Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Baillargeon, Dubois et Marineau, 1986);
- Forme traduite et validée de l’Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule (Barrera, 1981).

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« This study analyzes the relationships between chronic stressors, life events and social support, and postnatal depressive symptomatology in a group of 80 pregnant women of low socioeconomic status (SES) and a group of 36 pregnant women of high SES from the 30th week of pregnancy to the 9th week postpartum. Nulliparous subjects were recruited from the prenatal care clinics of 4 hospitals. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that after accounting for SES group membership and depressive symptomatology during pregnancy, early postnatal chronic stressors (frequent conflictual episodes with network members, maternal health problems) and social support were linked to later postnatal depressive symptomatology. » (p. 57)