Abstract
BackgroundThe most common mental disorders in women during the perinatal (antenatal and postnatal) period are depressive syndromes and anxiety syndromes. The global prevalence of maternal perinatal depression ranges from 10 to 20%, while the prevalence of perinatal anxiety ranges from 10 to 24%. The comorbidity of mood and anxiety disorders in perinatal women is common, reaching 40%. In Italy, a few studies have been undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of perinatal depression and anxiety, and there is still a scarcity of research and intervention programs regarding primary prevention. Three of the main aims of this study are: (1) to evaluate the prevalence of maternal perinatal depression and anxiety in a large sample of women attending healthcare centers in Italy; (2) to investigate the psychosocial risks and protective factors associated with maternal perinatal depression and anxiety; (3) to evaluate the effectiveness of a manualized psychological intervention (Milgrom et al., 1999) to treat perinatal depression; (4) to evaluate the psychometric properties of both the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in detecting perinatal depression; and (5) to evaluate the influence of maternal depression and anxiety on the development of infant temperament.MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study, which merges an observational design and a pre-post intervention design. The study includes a 1-year recruitment period and a one-year follow-up period. The methodological strategy includes: (1) self-report questionnaires on maternal depression, anxiety, health status, quality of life and psychosocial risks; (2) a self-report questionnaire to measure the infant’s temperament; (3) a clinical interview; (4) a structured diagnostic interview; and (5) a psychological intervention.DiscussionThe results of this study may contribute to our knowledge about prevalence of antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety (during both the trimesters of pregnancy and the first six trimesters after birth) and about the effectiveness of early psychological intervention in the perinatal health services.
Highlights
BackgroundThe perinatal period is a complex and vulnerable period covering the prenatal and postnatal period, which presents a series of challenges for women and men who are on their journey toward parenthood (Parfitt and Ayers, 2014)
(1) In light of the above, the first objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of both maternal antepartum and postpartum depression and anxiety in a large sample of women attending healthcare centers in Italy
(5) Given that the literature (Erickson et al, 2017) has offered ambiguous results on the association between prenatal maternal mental health and the development of infant temperament, we have no specific assumptions to this regard
Summary
The perinatal period is a complex and vulnerable period covering the prenatal and postnatal period, which presents a series of challenges for women and men who are on their journey toward parenthood (Parfitt and Ayers, 2014). It is common for pregnant women and new mothers to experience variations in mood and emotional changes due to a combination of hormonal factors and the burden of maternal responsibilities This situation tends to resolve itself naturally, where there is a wide gap between expectations or resources and the reality of motherhood, psychological difficulties or mental health disorders can be consolidated or even worsen (Sipsma et al, 2016). Several recent studies suggest the importance of screening early on in pregnancy in order to reduce anxiety or depressive symptoms and prevent a postpartum episode (Austin, 2004; O’Connor et al, 2016), there are still few research and intervention programs regarding primary prevention These studies suggest the importance of identifying perinatal mental complications from the beginning of the pregnancy in order to reduce symptoms and prevent a postpartum episode through developing pathways tailored to safeguard the health of mother and child. (5) Given that the literature (Erickson et al, 2017) has offered ambiguous results on the association between prenatal maternal mental health and the development of infant temperament, we have no specific assumptions to this regard
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