Perinatal Distress and Depression in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Australian Women: The Role of Psychosocial and Obstetric Factors

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Aug 16;16(16):2945. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16162945.

Abstract

Perinatal distress and depression can have significant impacts on both the mother and baby. The present study investigated psychosocial and obstetric factors associated with perinatal distress and depressive symptoms among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australian women in Sydney, New South Wales. The study used retrospectively linked maternal and child health data from two Local Health Districts in Australia (N = 25,407). Perinatal distress was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS, scores of 10-12) and depressive symptoms, with EPDS scores of 13 or more. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between psychosocial and obstetric factors with perinatal distress and depressive symptoms. The prevalence of perinatal distress and depressive symptoms among CALD Australian women was 10.1% for antenatal distress; 7.3% for antenatal depressive symptoms; 6.2% for postnatal distress and 3.7% for postnatal depressive symptoms. Antenatal distress and depressive symptoms were associated with a lack of partner support, intimate partner violence, maternal history of childhood abuse and being known to child protection services. Antenatal distress and depressive symptoms were strongly associated with postnatal distress and depressive symptoms. Higher socioeconomic status had a protective effect on antenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms. Our study suggests that current perinatal mental health screening and referral for clinical assessment is essential, and also supports a re-examination of perinatal mental health policy to ensure access to culturally responsive mental health care that meets patients' needs.

Keywords: Australia; culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD); depression; distress; perinatal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Delivery, Obstetric / adverse effects
  • Depression
  • Depression, Postpartum / epidemiology*
  • Depression, Postpartum / etiology
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence / psychology*
  • Intimate Partner Violence / statistics & numerical data
  • Mass Screening
  • Mothers / psychology
  • New South Wales / epidemiology
  • Perinatal Care
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Racial Groups
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Partners
  • Young Adult