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Predictors of psychological distress in low-income mothers over the first postpartum year.

ABSTRACT: Up to 25% of postpartum women experience psychological distress including stress, depressive, or anxiety symptoms during the postpartum period. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which social determinants of health and allostatic load score, a 10-item index of biologic measures of chronic stress, predict psychological distress in low-income pregnant women over the first postpartum year. We conducted a secondary data analysis of the Child Community Health Research Network data set. The psychological distress outcome variables were perceived stress (n?=?842), depression ( n?=?845), and anxiety ( n?=?846) symptoms, all measured categorically over the first year postpartum (T1:1 month, T2: 24-29 weeks, and T3: 50-65 weeks). Our predictors were social determinants of health (e.g., demographics, maternal hardship, percent poverty level, interpersonal violence, and food security) and allostatic load score. Generalized linear mixed models were used to determine which predictors were significantly associated with psychological distress symptoms across the first postpartum year. Interpersonal violence was a statistically significant risk factor for stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms over the first year postpartum. Other significant risk factors included low-income level, nativity, and perceived food security. Receiving food stamps was a significant protective factor for stress symptoms. The significance of risk factors for psychological distress, both modifiable and nonmodifiable, can be used as potential targets for further research, screening, and intervention. Future work should explore why and in what conditions these risk factors vary over time.

SUBMITTER: Adynski H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6472896 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Predictors of psychological distress in low-income mothers over the first postpartum year.

Adynski Harry H Zimmer Catherine C Thorp John J Santos Hudson P HP

Research in nursing & health 20190319 3

Up to 25% of postpartum women experience psychological distress including stress, depressive, or anxiety symptoms during the postpartum period. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which social determinants of health and allostatic load score, a 10-item index of biologic measures of chronic stress, predict psychological distress in low-income pregnant women over the first postpartum year. We conducted a secondary data analysis of the Child Community Health Research Network data ...[more]

PMID: 30888077

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Project description:IntroductionEmerging adulthood is a period of instability with changes in personal relationships and often a series of job changes before life trajectories clarify and more lasting decisions are possible. These changes often produce distress, and they might explain why most of the symptoms that impact the individual's mental health throughout their lives appear at this stage, although full-blown disorders are often only diagnosed subsequently. The objective of this study is to analyse the intraindividual changes in psychological distress and health-related quality of life in both student and non-student emerging adults over 1 year. Between-individual differences in variability will be analysed and life events will be recorded to identify possible associations.Methods and analysisParticipants will be emerging adults (18-29 years of age) students and non-students. The primary outcome will be psychological distress measured using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure and the secondary outcome will be health-related quality of life measured by the EuroQol five-dimension-three-level. Sociodemographic and life events will be recorded. Information will be collected using an online survey.Analyses, described in a data analysis plan with the registration, will check the psychometric properties of the measures, describe the distribution of scores on the outcome measures, their relationship to group and other demographic variables and how they change over the seven assessment points across a year and explore any relationship between scores and life events.Ethics and disseminationThis study received ethical approval by the Comité de Ética y Bioética (Ethics and Bioethics Committee) of the Universidad de Las Américas, Quito-Ecuador (2020-0807). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant meetings. Brief reports of these publications will be disseminated using social media to reach the community and private or public organisations interested in emerging adults.Trial registration numberNCT04596345.

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Dataset Information

Predictors of psychological distress in low-income mothers over the first postpartum year.

Publications

Predictors of psychological distress in low-income mothers over the first postpartum year.

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