Postpartum Depression Symptoms Predict Parenting Stress and Self-Efficacy

This study was done on a sample of 60 women taken from the community. Followed from their 3rd trimester through 6 months postpartum, the current study sought to understand the effects postpartum depression has on the mothers parenting stress and self efficacy at 3 and 6 months postpartum. Mothers were screened at 2 weeks postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and then at 3 and 6 months with the Parental Efficacy Questionnaire (PEQ), and the Abidin Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Regression analysis results found a positive relationship between postpartum depression score and parenting stress with a negative relationship of postpartum depression score and self efficacy. Trend results suggest a relation between higher depressive symptoms and higher stress, as well as higher depression symptoms and lower self efficacy.