Development of a tool to select those in need of intervention who exhibit postpartum depression

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07943
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Yukako 名古屋大学, 医学系研究科, 研究員 (60614485)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 周産期 / うつ病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The postpartum period is a time of high risk for depression because of the physical and psychosocial burden. It is important to develop a tool to select groups at high risk of developing postpartum depression and requiring intervention. In this study, we examined psychosocial factors that select postpartum depression requiring intervention, using subjective evaluations by expectant mothers themselves. The results revealed that first-time mothers had higher levels of anxiety during pregnancy compared to postpartum mothers, that damage avoidance and self-orientation during pregnancy predict postpartum depression, and that social support partially mediates postpartum depression. In addition, we constructed a model predicting depression at 1 month postpartum using data up to 5 days postpartum.

Free Research Field

精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、産後の抑うつ状態と関連する複数の要因、またそれを媒介する要因を明らかにすることができた。加えて、産後の抑うつ状態の予測モデルの構築も行った。研究の成果は、産後に抑うつ状態を呈するリスクが高い要介入群への早期の適切な介入を可能にし、産後抑うつ状態の早期改善のみならず、児の養育環境や家族関係への好影響も期待できるものである。本研究によって得られた知見は、産後に抑うつ状態を呈する要介入者を選定するツールの開発に繋がるものであり、今後の研究における学術的意義、および社会的意義が大きいものと考える。