Longitudinal study on perinatal anxiety and depressive symptoms using in-vivo hormones as indicators

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K17562
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: Fukui Prefectural University
• Principal Investigator: Kanekasu Hitomi 福井県立大学, 看護福祉学部, 准教授 (10723645)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 周産期 / 抑うつ症状 / 不安 / ボンディング障害 / コルチゾール / オキシトシン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of present research is to investigate the relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy, abnormalities during childbirth, and postpartum depressive symptoms including cortisol and oxytocin as indicators. And our research consists of four studies.
In Study 1, birth weight was associated with depressive symptoms in the second trimester, but not with depressive symptoms in the second trimester. In Study 2, anxiety and depressive symptoms during the second trimester and oxytocin were associated with immediate postpartum maternal-infant bonding. In Study 3, although weight gain during pregnancy and childbirth satisfaction were associated with postpartum depressive symptoms, depressive symptoms during pregnancy were not. In Study 4, depressive symptoms during pregnancy were associated with weight gain during pregnancy. Postpartum depressive symptoms were associated with weight gain during pregnancy, preterm infants, and postnatal social support.

Free Research Field

助産学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、抑うつ症状や不安について自記式質問紙だけではなく、オキシトシンやコルチゾールを指標として用い調査をおこなった。本研究における成果は、産後の抑うつ症状やボンディング障害を予防するためのスクリーニング体制を確立するための一助になると考える。