Postpartum depression in mothers and fathers: a structural equation model

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(2020) 20:537

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Open Access

Postpartum depression in mothers and fathers: a structural equation model Zhizhou Duan1,2†, Yuanyuan Wang3,4†, Ping Jiang1†, Amanda Wilson4†, Yan Guo1, Yongliang Lv1, Xiaonan Yang1, Renjie Yu1, Shuilan Wang1, Zhengyan Wu1, Mengqing Xia1, Guosheng Wang1, Ye Tao5, L Xiaohong1, Ling Ma5, Hong Shen5, Jue Sun6, Wei Deng7, Yong Yang1* and Runsen Chen3

Abstract Background: Post-partum depression (PPD) is a growing mental health concern worldwide. There is little evidence in the Chinese context of the relationship between paternal PPD and maternal PPD. Given the growing global concerns this relationship requires further exploration. Methods: A survey was conducted with 950 total couples from March 2017 to December 2018. The study was conducted using a standardized questionnaire that included basic demographic information, information on the relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, marital satisfaction (both maternal and paternal), and PPD symptoms. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis was used to explore the underlying mechanism for PPD symptoms in mothers and fathers. Results: In 4.4% of the couples both the wife and the husband showed depressive symptoms. Maternal marital satisfaction showed a significant mediating effect on paternal PPD (B = -0.114, p < 0.01), and there was a direct effect of maternal PPD on paternal PPD (B = 0.31, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate the possible correlation between maternal PPD, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship satisfaction, maternal marital satisfaction, paternal marital satisfaction, and paternal PPD. It is important for future PPD interventions to target both maternal and paternal mental health, as well as the mechanisms identified that can lead to PPD. Keywords: paternal post-partum depression, maternal post-partum depression, mother-in-law relationship, marital satisfaction, Sturctural Equation Modelling (SEM)

Background Post-partum depression (PPD) is a growing mental health concern and one of the leading causes of poor familial and infant health outcomes [1–3]. Similar to maternal PPD, PPD can also effect the mental health of fathers [4]. Paternal PPD refers to a new father who suffers from depressive symptoms * Correspondence: [email protected] † Zhizhou Duan, Yuyuan Wang, Ping Jiang and Amanda Wilson contributed equally to this work. 1 Institute of Mental Health, Suzhou Guangji Hospital, Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, No. 11 Guangqian Road, Jiangsu Province 215137 Suzhou, PR China Full list of author information is available at the end of the article

within a 12 month perinatal period after the birth of an infant [5, 6]. Paternal PPD has a negative impact on family members, the impact can reduce early parent-infant interactions resulting in poor communication and stimulation [7].It can also have further long-term adverse impacts on an infant’s physical growth and their cognitive, behavioral, and social development [8, 9]. Pr