Food insecurity and postnatal depression: the mediating effect of perceived social support among women in Khayelitsha, South Africa

Our findings suggest that providing social support can help to reduce symptoms of postnatal depression. Future research should explore developing and evaluating a package of care for pregnant women with perinatal depression that improves food security and levels of social support. This research suggests that policy makers and practitioners have a renewed focus on increasing social support systems for women during the perinatal period, especially in cases of food insecurity.