Associations of social support and stress with postpartum maternal mental health symptoms: Main effects, moderation, and mediation.
Poor maternal mental health during the postpartum period can have significant effects on the health of mothers, infants, and families. The findings from cross-sectional studies suggest that stress and social support are related to maternal mental health. This study contributes to the literature through the use of longitudinal data, and examines moderation and mediation among these factors. In 2012-2013, mothers completed surveys assessing stress, social support, and depressive and anxiety symptoms following birth (n = 125), and 3 months (n = 110) and 6 months (n = 99) after birth. The authors examined temporal associations, moderation, and mediation of social support on the relationship between stress and postpartum depressive and anxiety symptoms using modified Poisson regression models and the counterfactual approach to mediation. Current levels of stress and social support were associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms, both independently and when considered together at multiple time points. Social support did not strongly moderate or mediate the relationships between stress and maternal mental health. Interventions to reduce current perceptions of stress and increase social support for mothers during the postpartum period may help improve maternal mental health symptoms. Efforts are needed to assess the current needs of mothers continuously.
['Schwab-Reese|Laura M|LM|', 'Schafer|Ellen J|EJ|0000-0002-9808-4841', 'Ashida|Sato|S|']
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological D000328:Adult D019052:Depression, Postpartum D005260:Female D015438:Health Behavior D006801:Humans D007231:Infant, Newborn D008137:Longitudinal Studies D008425:Maternal Behavior D008603:Mental Health D009035:Mothers D012307:Risk Factors D020377:Self Efficacy D012944:Social Support D055815:Young Adult
social support stress postpartum depression Motherhood postpartum anxiety