The psychosocial work environment and maternal postpartum depression

Rada K. Dagher, Patricia M McGovern, Bruce H Alexander, Bryan E Dowd, Laurie K. Ukestad, David J. McCaffrey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression is a debilitating mental disorder affecting women after childbirth. This study examined the correlates of postpartum depression at 11 weeks after childbirth, focusing on work-related stressors and applying the job demand-control-support model. Method: Investigators recruited a prospective cohort of 817 employed Minnesota women when hospitalized for childbirth in 2001. Trained interviewers collected data in person and by telephone at enrollment and 5 and 11 weeks postpartum from three Minneapolis and St. Paul hospitals. Results: Results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that worse depression scores (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) were associated with higher psychological demands, lower schedule autonomy, and lower perceived control over work and family. Perceptions of control mediated the relationships of coworker support and schedule autonomy with postpartum depression scores. Study findings showed no significant buffering effects for decision latitude; however, coworker support and decision latitude appear to act as functional substitutes in reducing postpartum depressive symptoms. Conclusion: These findings raise questions about the applicability of the job demand-control-support model to postpartum women or to postpartum depression. Future research could assess the impact of the interaction between the work and home environment on maternal postpartum depression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)339-346
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Volume16
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding This research was supported by grant # 5 R18 OH003605-05 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIOSH.

Funding Information:
Acknowledgments We would like to acknowledge the support of Andrew Ryan with this paper. This research was supported by grant number 5 R18 OH003605-05 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIOSH.

Copyright:
Copyright 2013 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Demand-control-support model
  • Job control
  • Maternal welfare
  • Postpartum depression
  • Psychosocial factors

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