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Use of the Antenatal Risk Questionnaire to Assess Psychosocial Risk Factors Associated with Risk for Postpartum Depression: A Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Ruyak Sharon L.,
Qeadan Fares
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1111/jmwh.12873
Subject(s) - edinburgh postnatal depression scale , psychosocial , medicine , pregnancy , obstetrics , childbirth , postpartum depression , depression (economics) , postpartum period , psychiatry , depressive symptoms , anxiety , macroeconomics , biology , economics , genetics
Introduction Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbirth. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine use of the Antenatal Risk Questionnaire (ANRQ) to assess psychosocial risk factors associated with increased risk for the development of symptoms of postpartum depression. Methods This study was a prospective investigation of women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Women were recruited from a high‐volume collaborative obstetric and midwifery practice in a large academic tertiary‐care hospital. Participants were enrolled during their third trimesters of pregnancy and studied through 6 weeks postpartum. Surveys were completed for psychosocial risk (ANRQ), perceived stress, and symptoms of depression. Bivariate analysis was conducted and multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of the predictor variables on the outcome variable, symptoms of depression at 6 weeks postpartum. Results Thirty‐five women participated in the study. Prenatal ANRQ scores, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores were significantly correlated with EPDS scores at 6 weeks postpartum. In the multiple regression analysis, the prenatal ANRQ score was a significant predictor of the postpartum EPDS score, whereas the prenatal PSS and EPDS scores were not significant. This regression model explained 57% of the variance in symptoms of depression at 6 weeks postpartum. Discussion Key past and present psychosocial risk factors experienced by women (measured by the prenatal ANRQ) were a significant predictor of postpartum depressive symptoms. In light of our results, use of the ANRQ in clinical practice warrants further exploration.