Abstract
ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of three positive mental health (PMH) outcomes (self-rated mental health, life satisfaction, sense of community belonging) in postpartum women to the general population, and to examine the relationship between protective factors and the three PMH outcomes among postpartum women.MethodsThe national cross-sectional Survey on Maternal Health (n = 6558) was analyzed. Analyses were weighted and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Three adjusted logistic regression models were generated. To compare this sample to the general population of women, estimates from the Canadian Community Health Survey—Annual Component (2018) were used.ResultsCompared to the general population of women, a larger proportion of postpartum women reported a strong sense of community belonging. The odds of postpartum women with high self-rated physical health having high self-rated mental health were approximately seven times greater (aOR 6.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.9, 8.1) than postpartum women with lower self-rated physical health. The absence of symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and high self-rated physical health were significantly associated with all three PMH outcomes. Frequent availability of maternal support was associated with greater odds of high life satisfaction (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4, 1.9) and sense of community belonging (aOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2, 1.6).ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that availability of maternal support, self-rated physical health and absence of symptoms of PPD or GAD were associated with PMH among postpartum women. As physical health had the strongest association with mental health, we encourage further examination of this relationship.
Highlights
Mental health is a public health priority, as it is an integral part of the overall health of the population
This study is the first to estimate the prevalence of three positive mental health (PMH) outcomes in postpartum women in Canada and to examine its relationship with socio-demographic factors, availability of maternal support, support programs and physical health
We found that women with no symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) had greater odds of high self-rated mental health, high life satisfaction and strong sense of community belonging compared to women with symptoms
Summary
Mental health is a public health priority, as it is an integral part of the overall health of the population. Global prevalence of postpartum depression and anxiety among women has been estimated to range between 10 to 20% (Brummelte and Galea 2016; Schmied et al 2013; Yelland et al 2010) and 8 to 13% (Schmied et al 2013; Yelland et al 2010), respectively These estimates are important as several studies have established a relationship between postpartum depression and negative outcomes among women and children, including premature delivery (Dayan et al 2006), breastfeeding difficulties (Dennis and McQueen 2009), behavioural problems, poor executive functioning, and adverse health-related quality of life (Park et al 2018). While these studies provide a strong evidence base, they are limited in that they solely focused on mental illness
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