Moraitou M, Galanakis M, Chatzitheodorou M, Markou A
Department of Midwivery, Alexandreio Technological Educational Institution, Thessaloniki, Greece
Correspondence: Galanakis M, Department of Midwifery, Alexandreio Technological Educational Institution, Thessaloniki, Greece. E-mail: galanakismichael@hotmail.com
Abstract
Postpartum depression is a common psychological disorder which affects women after giving birth. Depression symptomatology prior to pregnancy has been linked to specific positive and negative emotions and self-esteem levels. The present study investigates the relationship of positive and negative emotions, self-esteem and depression with postpartum depression levels in a sample of 91 women. In our sample, 46.7% of women experienced depression symptomatology during the 35th week of gestation and 50% experienced analogous symptoms during the first week after giving birth. Our results indicated that prepartum depression increases the risk of postpartum depression. Self-esteem did not seem to affect postpartum depression levels, while only specific positive and negative emotions play a certain role in the development of postpartum depression.
Keywords: postpartum depression, pregnancy, positive emotions, self-esteem
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