Depression and stress in Korean parents: A cohort study

Abstract

Aim: This study identified the level of depression and stress in couples experiencing pregnancy and childbirth.

Background: Married couples who experience pregnancy and delivery, deal with psychological changes during the parenthood transition. If they do not adapt well, they experience negative emotions that negatively affect them and their child. Therefore, the incidence and changing patterns of depression among couples need to be explored.

Methods: Using a prospective cohort study design, the researchers collected the couples' depression and stress levels 6 times. This study included 219 prenatal pregnant women, 181 spouses during pregnancy in the prenatal period, 178 postpartum mothers, and 125 spouses after childbirth. The levels of depression and stress were investigated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Perceived Stress Scale.

Results: The incidence rate of prenatal depression was 10.5- 21.5% in pregnant women and 10.5-12.7% in their spouses. After childbirth, the incidence rate of depression was 21.3- 32.0% in postpartum women and 6.4-10.4% in their spouses. The levels of depression and stress varied from the prenatal to the postpartum period, showing different patterns between women and their spouses. Significantly, the emotional patterns in the couples were different as far as parity was concerned.

Conclusions: The levels of depression and stress in couples continuously changed during the prenatal and postpartum periods and the patterns differed as well. Even couples who experience a healthy pregnancy and childbirth experience negative emotional changes. Therefore, timely nursing management will alleviate stress and depression not first-time by first-time parents.

Keywords: Cohort study; Depression; Stress.