Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

The effect size of social support
including support from father was of
moderate strength (δ= - 0.53 (- 0.67,
- 0.39) r= - 0.25 but the population of
effect sizes was significantly
heterogeneous, Q(4) = 24.05, p<
0.0001.
Effect on risk
Ten predictors (prenatal depression, self
esteem, childcare stress, prenatal anxiety,
life stress, social support,
marital relationship, history of
depression, infant temperament) were
considered to have a moderate predictive
relationship to postnatal depression.
The strongest predictors of
postpartum depression were past
history of psychopathology and
psychological disturbance during
pregnancy, poor marital relationship
and low social support, and stressful
life events. Indicators of
low social status showed a small but
significant predictive relation to
postpartum depression
Clinical 1 1 1
importance
Clinical 1 1 1
relevance
Generalisability Y Y Y
Applicability Y Y Y
The following factors (depression
during pregnancy, anxiety during
pregnancy, experiencing stressful life
events during pregnancy or the early
puerperium, low levels of social
support, and a previous history of
depression) increase the risk of a
mother developing postnatal
depression
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