The relationship between childhood trauma, socioeconomic status, and maternal depression among pregnant women in a South African birth cohort study.
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ABSTRACT: Background
Maternal depression is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Experiences of childhood trauma contribute to maternal depression, potentially causing adult socio-economic disparities in mental health. We investigate whether adult socioeconomic status (SES) mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and antenatal depression.Methods
We analyzed data from two sociodemographically distinct peri-urban sites in the Western Cape, South Africa in a birth cohort study, the Drakenstein Child Health Study: Mbekweni (N = 510) and TC Newman (N = 413). Data were collected from pregnant women between 28 and 32 weeks' gestation.Results
Associations between trauma and depressive symptoms differed by site ( χ2 =2163.6, df = 1419, p < 0.01); direct effects of trauma on depression were 0.24 mean increased symptoms in Mbekweni (p < 0.01) and 0.47 in TC Newman (p < 0.01). Trauma was differentially associated with SES (Mbekweni: -0.10, p = 0.07; TC Newman: -0.05, p = 0.37) and SES with depression (Mbekweni: -0.18, p < 0.01; TC Newman: -0.02, p = 0.62) across both sites. Indirect effects of trauma on depression through SES were 0.018 (95% C.I. -0.002-0.039) in Mbekweni and 0.001 (95% C.I. -0.004-0.006) in TC Newman, suggesting mediation was not supported. SES was a stronger indicator of depression risk in relatively poorer Mbekweni.Conclusion
Neighborhood-level effects and poverty are potentially important modifiers, and points of intervention, for maternal mental health outcomes.
SUBMITTER: Mal-Sarkar T
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8025055 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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