Psychological effects of preeclampsia in the postpartum period: a comparative study on depression and post-traumatic stress

Abstract Objective This study aims to investigate the psychological effects of preeclampsia on women in the postpartum period by comparing levels of depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms between women with preeclampsia and those with normotensive pregnancies. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in a public hospital located in Gaziantep, Turkey. A total of 176 postpartum women (88 diagnosed with preeclampsia, 88 with normotensive pregnancies) participated in the study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Modified Perinatal Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire (PPQ). Independent samples t-tests, Pearson correlation analysis, and one-way ANOVA were performed to compare the groups and examine the relationships between study variables. Results Women with preeclampsia had significantly higher mean scores on the EPDS and both subscales of the PPQ—Intrusive Thoughts and Avoidance, and Hyperarousal and Numbness—compared to normotensive women ( p < .001). These findings indicate that preeclampsia is associated with an increased risk of postpartum depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Conclusion The results suggest that preeclampsia is associated with adverse psychological outcomes during the postpartum period. It is recommended that healthcare professionals implement routine psychological screening and early intervention programs for women with a history of preeclampsia.