Depressive Symptoms In Women Research Articles

Cognitive emotion regulation, anxiety, and depression in infertile women: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundCognitive strategies play an important role in the prevention of psychological disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships of cognitive emotion regulation with anxiety and depression symptoms in a sample of infertile women in Iran.ResultsAccording to correlation analysis, all adaptive strategies (i.e., acceptance, positive refocusing, refocus on planning, positive reappraisal, and putting into perspective), except for Acceptance strategy, were indirectly related to both anxiety and depression symptoms. Conversely, four maladaptive strategies (i.e., self-blame, rumination, catastrophizing, and other-blame) were positively related to anxiety and depression symptoms. After controlling for demographic/infertility information, hierarchical regression analyses indicated that acceptance, rumination, and positive refocusing subscales were significantly associated with anxiety; and refocus of planning was related to depression.ConclusionIn sum, cognitive emotion regulation strategies appeared to be related to anxiety and depression symptoms in women suffering from infertility. These results suggest the use of cognitive therapy to reduce the anxiety and depression in these women.

Cash assistance programming and changes over time in ability to meet basic needs, food insecurity and depressive symptoms in Raqqa Governorate, Syria: Evidence from a mixed methods, pre-posttest.

Raqqa Governorate has been grappling with dual crisis-related burdens from the civil conflict and ISIS occupation. As part of a response to support households within this area, a three-month, unconditional cash assistance program was implemented by the International Rescue Committee to help households meet their basic needs. A quantitative, pre-posttest with 512 women at baseline (n = 456 at endline) was conducted in northern Raqqa Governorate between March-August 2018 to determine their experiences in this cash assistance program and to understand perceived change over time in food insecurity, perceived household serious needs and daily stressors, and depressive symptoms before and after cash was delivered. Forty women also completed in-depth interviews using a life line history technique at endline. Linear household fixed effects models demonstrated significant reductions in food insecurity (β = -0.95; 95%CI: -1.19–-0.71), no change in perceived serious household needs and daily stressors (β = 0.12; 95%CI: -0.24–0.48), and increases in depressive symptoms (β = 0.89; 95%CI: 0.34–1.43) before and after the period of cash distribution. Although no causality can be inferred, short-term emergency cash assistance programming yielded significant improvements in food security, was highly acceptable and viewed favorably, and assisted women and their families to meet their basic needs in this emergency setting. However, before and after this form of cash assistance was implemented, no meaningful changes in the perceived levels of serious needs and stressors amongst households were observed, but potential increases in depressive symptoms for women were reported during this time period. Further work is needed to determine appropriate targeting, length, and dosage of cash, alongside any potential livelihood, psychosocial, or structural complementary programming to yield potential positive mental health benefits of a cash assistance program focused on meeting a population’s basic needs while not inadvertently delaying or decreasing reach of life-saving cash assistance programming in emergencies.

Gender bias in therapeutic effort: from research to health care.

There are relevant dimensions from a gender perspective related to therapeuticeffort. To illustrate and discuss possible gender bias related tomedicines, through the consumption analysis in women, the prescriptionof biological drugs according to sex, the potential gender inequalityin adverse drug reactions, and research with clinical trials, as well asthe decisions of international institutions in the marketing of medicinalproducts.There is greater tendency to prescribe pain relievers, regardless of pain,and drugs for low intensity depressive symptoms in women than in men.The opposite occurs in the prescription of statins and adequate doses,and with the greater probability of prescribing anti-tumor necrosis factor inmen than in women with ankylosing spondylitis, despite a similar diseaseburden. Adverse drug reactions are observed more frequently in womenthan in men, where determinants such as body weight are having littleinfluence on the dosage. It is currently scarcely considered in the prescriptionthat women have differences in the activity of cytochrome CYPP450enzymes, which can affect the liver's metabolism rate. There are evenimmunological, genetic and epigenetic effects (due to heredity and unevengene dosing located in the X and Y chromosomes) that can influence these differences by sex. Finally, through cases of hormonal therapy clinical trials, a drug for women's inhibited sexual desire and a contraceptive for men, gender bias and stereotypes are shown to influence a potential generation of inequalities, especially in adverse drug reactions to the detriment of women. In conclusion, health professionals frequently attribute physical symptoms to women's emotionality, influencing their greater prescription of symptomatic drugs. Whether the same reason influences the lower prescription of therapeutic drugs in women than in men should be analyzed. There are biological determinants to consider due to their influence on a greater pharmacological toxicity in women. Clinical trials should improve according to the gender recommendations by the Food and Drugs Administration.

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposures during pregnancy and maternal depression

BackgroundExperimental studies in rodents suggest that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may contribute to depressive symptoms. Few studies have examined the impact of these chemicals on depression in adults.Objective:To examine the associations between serum PBDE and PFAS concentrations during pregnancy and repeated measures of depressive symptoms in women assessed from pregnancy to 8 years postpartum.Methods:This study was based on 377 women from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment Study, a birth cohort in Cincinnati, OH (USA). PBDEs (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, and ∑PBDEs) and PFAS (perfluorooctanoate [PFOA], perfluorooctane sulfonate [PFOS], perfluorohexane sulfonate [PFHxS], perfluorononanoate [PFNA]) were quantified in maternal serum at 16 ± 3 weeks gestation. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) at ~20 weeks gestation and up to seven times during postpartum visits (4 weeks, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 years). We used linear mixed models to estimate covariate-adjusted associations between chemical concentrations and repeated measures of BDI-II. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate the relative risk ratios of having a medium or high depression trajectory.Results:We found that a 10-fold increase in BDE-28 at 16 ± 3 weeks gestation was associated with significantly increased BDI-II scores (β = 2.5 points, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8, 4.2) from pregnancy to 8 years postpartum. Significant positive associations were also observed with BDE-47, -100, -153, and ∑PBDEs. A 10-fold increase in ∑PBDEs was associated with a 4.6-fold increased risk (95% CI 1.8, 11.8) of a high trajectory for BDI-II compared to a low trajectory. We observed no significant associations between PFAS and BDI-II scores.Conclusion:PBDEs during pregnancy were associated with more depressive symptoms among women in this cohort.

Obstetrician-gynecologists' screening and management of depression during perimenopause.

Depression in women is more common during perimenopause (the time period around and during menopause) than pre and postmenopause. Obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) play a vital role in the detection and management of depression symptoms in women because for many women ob-gyns are the first and most frequent point of medical contact. This study assessed ob-gyns' screening practices and management of depression in perimenopause. A survey regarding depression during perimenopause was sent to 500 practicing ob-gyns who were fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and members of the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network. The survey response rate was 41.8% (209 of 500 surveys returned). Over a third of respondents (34.1%) reported that they did not regularly screen perimenopausal patients for depression. Higher-quality education about depression, respondent sex, and personal experience with depression were associated with higher rates of screening. While 85.7% of respondents believed that they could recognize depression in perimenopausal women, only about half (55.8%) were confident in their ability to treat these patients. Increased education of ob-gyn physicians related to depression during perimenopause may increase the screening and treatment of women during this phase of life.

Depressive symptoms among mothers with young children—the role of family migration and social networks in Mexico

Background Women who remain in migratory sending communities as their family members migrate internationally are at risk for depression. Limited research examines the association between the number of absent household members and a woman’s mental health. Aims This study examines the association between residing in a migrant household and depressive symptoms for women in Mexico while accounting for social networks and social support. Methods Logistic regression analysis was employed using the Social Networks and Health Information Survey (SNHIS) (n = 320), a random household survey conducted in a medium-sized municipality in Guanajuato, Mexico. Results Multivariate results suggest that residing in a household with two or more migrants was associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms, while having immediate kin in the community reduced the odds of depressive symptoms. Social relationships in the community and social support were associated with reduced odds of depressive symptoms. Their inclusion in the models reduced the significance of but did not significantly mediate the association between residing in a household with multiple migrants and depressive symptoms. Conclusions Services aimed at improving women’s health should target women who reside in households with multiple migrants and focus on reducing the stress and mental health impacts associated with these relationships.

The impact of metabolic syndrome on mental health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms.

Results examining associations between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and depression, as well as on quality of life (QoL), are inconsistent. We aimed to determine whether individuals with MetS had decreased mental health-related QoL (MH-QoL) and higher frequency of depressive symptoms. Data from 1,015 participants from the Fels Longitudinal Study were analyzed (mean age ± SD: 49.6 ± 18.7years, 29.3% MetS, 51% females). MetS was determined using American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria. Depressive symptoms (yes vs. no) were assessed with The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). MH-QoL (low (≤ 42) vs. high) was assessed with The Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Sex- and age-stratified mixed effects logistic regressions were used to examine the longitudinal relationship between MetS and MH-QoL while adjusting for covariates such as age, smoking status, and drinking status. In cross-sectional analysis, MetS was significantly associated with elevated depressive symptoms in women (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.22-3.78, p < 0.01), but not in men. In the longitudinal analysis, MetS was observed to have a protective effect among men in the older age group as it approached significance (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.11-1.05, p = 0.06). MetS was adversely associated with depressive symptoms and poor MH-QoL. Our cross-sectional results suggest that depressive symptoms are higher among women with MetS. Interestingly, our longitudinal results suggest that MH-QoL in men with MetS may improve with age.

Quality of life and the related factors in early postnatal women in Malawi

ObjectiveTo explore the quality of life (QOL) and related factors in early postnatal women. DesignA descriptive, cross-sectional study. SettingLiwonde, Malawi. ParticipantsWomen who underwent a normal vaginal birth (N = 173) were included from August to September 2018. MeasurementsThe QOL of participants was assessed using a World Health Organization QOL instrument. Demographic, obstetric, and health variables were collected using a structured questionnaire. Childbirth fear and depression were respectively assessed using the Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A multiple linear regression was used to examine factors associated with the QOL. ResultsThe mean age of participants was 29 (standard deviation 6.7) years. The overall QOL and health were satisfactory. The mean score of the QOL was highest in the psychological health and social relationships domains, followed by the environmental and physical health domains. A higher educational level was negatively related to the physical health of QOL (p ≤ 0.01), with physician care positively related (p = 0.01). The employment status was positively related to psychological health and the environmental QOL (p ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, a higher income, and physician care were positively related to the environmental QOL (p ≤ 0.05). High levels of childbirth fear and depressive symptoms were negatively related to all domains of the QOL (p ≤ 0.05), except for the social relationships domain. Conclusion and implications for practiceThe physical health QOL was lower in postnatal mothers in Malawi. Measures to improve physical health aspects and address women's fears and depressive symptoms during postpartum care are warranted. The findings should alert the health providers of the importance of assessing and improving women's physical health and psychological well-being during postpartum care.

PROTOCOL: Effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy in comparison to other psychological and pharmacological interventions for reducing depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with postpartum depression in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review.

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is highly prevalent among women in low and middle income countries (LMICs). World Heath Organization has recognised interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) as the first line treatment for the postpartum depression. The primary aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of IPT alone or in combination with pharmacotherapy or other psychosocial therapies for treating depressive symptoms in women with postpartum depression. The generated evidence from this review will help to inform policies in relation to the treatment of postpartum depression in LMICs.

Transactional Associations Between Couple Relationship Intimacy and Depressive Symptoms Across 10 Years

AbstractObjectiveThis study tested a transactional model of associations between couple relationship intimacy and one's own and one's partner's depressive symptoms across 10 years.BackgroundDepressive symptoms and couple relationship intimacy are important aspects of individual functioning and family well‐being. Partners' mental health and experiences in couple relationships may be interdependent.MethodSix waves of data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were used. At each wave, 654 couples (654 men and 654 women all married and/or living together) reported their relationship intimacy and depressive symptoms. An actor–partner interdependence random intercept cross‐lagged panel model was estimated to examine reciprocal relations between men's and women's depressive symptoms and couple relationship intimacy.ResultsThe cross‐lagged paths showed that higher than personal average couple relationship intimacy perceived by men and women predicted intraindividual increases in their partner's perceptions of couple relationship intimacy at the next time point. Moreover, for women, higher than personal average relationship intimacy predicted subsequent intraindividual decreases in their depressive symptoms (while the reverse was not true), whereas for men, lower than average depressive symptoms predicted intraindividual increases in self‐perceived relationship intimacy (while the reverse was not significant).ConclusionWe found reverse temporal precedence of depressive symptoms and couple relationship intimacy for men and women. Partners' relationship intimacy was interdependent.

Fair enough? Decreased equity of dyadic coping across the transition to parenthood associated with depression of first-time parents

The transition to parenthood (TTP) is a stressful life event for most couples. Therefore, the way both partners jointly cope with stress (i.e., dyadic coping) is important for the prevention of individual adjustment problems (e.g., depression). For dyadic coping to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms, efforts of both partners should be equal. However, many couples experience a decrease of equity in task division within the domestic sphere across the TTP. The current study investigates the equity of a specific skill within the ‘relationship sphere’, because similarly to a decreased equity in household and childcare, a decreased equity of dyadic coping is likely to be associated with poorer individual adjustment. We collected longitudinal self-report data on dyadic coping and depressive symptoms from 104 mixed-gender first-time parents (n = 208 individuals) from pregnancy until 40 weeks postpartum. We created an equity score for men and women that measured their perceived difference between received and provided dyadic coping. On average, women reported providing more and receiving less dyadic coping than men. While both genders agreed on this distribution, men did perceive a higher equity of dyadic coping than women. Furthermore, the decrease of equity perceived by women across TTP was not visible in men. In line with our assumptions based on the equity theory, perceived equity of dyadic coping was associated with depressive symptoms in a curvilinear manner: Decreases in women’s perceived equity in either direction (over- or underbenefit) were associated with more depressive symptoms in women and their male partners. This association was found above and beyond the beneficial effect of dyadic coping itself. This implies that not only how well partners support each other in times of stress, but also how equal both partners’ efforts are, is important for their individual adjustment across TTP.

Effects of Women's Work-Family Multiple Role and Role Combination on Depressive Symptoms in Korea.

This study set out to investigate the effects of multiple roles on depressive symptoms in women. The role of women was divided into worker, household worker, spouse, parent, and caregiver roles to identify the differences in depressive symptoms according to the number of roles, role-fulfillment, and role-combination. Using the sixth raw data of the 2016 Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families for analysis, the data had 6198 respondents who did not have missing values in the major variables. There are three main findings of this study: (1) as the number of roles increased, depressive symptoms of women was decreased. In addition, role-combination was a more meaningful element; (2) women who did not have any roles tended to be more depressed; (3) the caregiver role showed a negative effect on depressive symptoms of women. This study was to include the various aspects of women’s roles and to determine the effects of multi-roles on depressive symptoms in women.

Depressive-like phenotype evoked by lifelong nutritional omega-3 deficiency in female rats: Crosstalk among kynurenine, Toll-like receptors and amyloid beta oligomers

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric diseases and the prevalence of depressive symptoms in women is almost twice compared to men, although the reasons of this gender difference are not fully understood yet. Recently, soluble amyloid beta (Aβ)1-42 peptide has been receiving great importance in the development of depression, also considering that depression is highly comorbid with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative illnesses. The central role played by Aβ in the development of depressive-like symptoms in rodents has been evidenced in environmental rodent model of depression. Indeed, we have previously found that lifelong exposure to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) deficient diet in female rats at 8 weeks of life leads to depressive like- symptoms and higher susceptibility to stress associated with increased Aβ levels. In order to understand if such effects were maintained over time, rats were exposed to the same diet regimen until 6 or 21 weeks of life. We found that both timepoints of exposure to n-3 PUFA deficient diet lead to depressive-like phenotype. Furthermore, a significant alteration in brain neurochemistry was retrieved. In particular, in hippocampal area a significant reduction in serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) content was evidenced. Considering the prominent role of NA in counterbalancing neuroinflammatory state, we quantified in the same brain area kynurenine levels, a metabolite of tryptophan implicated in inflammatory state and brought to the fore for its implication in depression. Interestingly, kynurenine levels were significantly increased in hippocampus (HIPP) of female rats exposed to such diet. In addition, lifelong deficiency in n-3 PUFA dietary intake led to systemic increase of corticosterone, hence hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivation, and higher proinflammatory cytokine production. Increased production of kynurenine, along with HPA axis hyperactivation, have been associated with immune system modulation, particularly through Toll-like receptor type 2 (TLR2) and Toll-like receptor type 4 (TLR4) involvement. In addition, it has been shown that soluble forms of Aβ1-42 can induced depressive like-phenotype in consequence to a crosstalk between TLR4 and 5-HTergic system. Thus, considering that in this model we have previously reported increased plasma Aβ1-42 level, we quantified TRL2 and 4 expression in HIPP of treated rats. We found that chronic exposure to a diet characterized by very low n-3 PUFA content led to higher expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in HIPP of female treated rats, indicating an activation of the immune system and was accompanied by increased expression of oligomeric Aβ.Taken together, our data indicate that the pro-depressive effects induced by a diet poor in n-3 PUFA can be attributable to a shift of hippocampal tryptophan metabolism toward inflammatory metabolite ultimately corresponding to altered immune response and increased Aβ oligomerization.

Associations between Antiretroviral Drugs on Depressive Symptomatology in Homogenous Subgroups of Women with HIV.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is inconsistently associated with depression. These associations may depend on factors such as biological sex, age, and health status. Identifying such factors may help optimize treatment of HIV and depression. We implemented a novel approach to examine interindividual variability in the association between ART agents and depressive symptoms. 3434 women living with HIV (WLWH) from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) were computationally divided into subgroups based on sociodemographic (e.g., age) and longitudinal (from 1995 to 2016) behavioral and clinical profiles (e.g., substance use, HIV RNA, CD4 counts). Five subgroups (n's ranged from 482 to 802) were identified and characterized as those with: controlled HIV/vascular comorbidities; profound HIV legacy effects; younger women [<45years of age] with hepatitis C; primarily 35-55year olds; and poorly controlled HIV/substance use. Within each subgroup, we examined associations between ART agents used over the past 6months and item-level depressive symptoms on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Tenofovir (4 of 5 subgroups) followed by efavirenz, emtricitabine, stavudine, lopinavir, etravirine, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and maraviroc were the most common agents associated with depressive symptoms, although the pattern and directionality varied by subgroup. For example, lopinavir was associated with fewer symptoms among the subgroup with a legacy HIV effect but more symptoms among the subgroup with well-controlled HIV/vascular comorbidities. Unexpectedly, dolutegravir and raltegravir were not associated with depressive symptoms among any subgroup. Findings underscore marked interindividual variability in ART agents on depression in WLWH. Sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors are important determinants of the relationship between ART agents and depressive symptoms in WLWH. Graphical Abstract Are antiretroviral agents a risk factor for depressive symptoms in women with HIV? We examined associations between ART-agents and depressive symptoms among similar subgroups of women with HIV from the Women's Interagency HIV Study. The patterns of associations depended on sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics of women.

Educational attainment inequalities in depressive symptoms in more than 100,000 individuals in Europe.

Increasing educational attainment (EA) could decrease the occurrence of depression. We investigated the relationship between EA and depressive symptoms in older individuals across four European regions. We studied 108,315 Europeans (54% women, median age 63years old) from the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe assessing EA (seven educational levels based on International Standard Classification of Education [ISCED] classification) and depressive symptoms (≥4 points on EURO-D scale). Logistic regression estimated the association between EA and depressive symptoms, adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors, testing for sex/age/region and education interactions. Higher EA was associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms, independent of sociodemographic and health-related factors. A threshold of the lowest odds of depressive symptoms was detected at the first stage of tertiary education (OR 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55-0.65; p<0.001; relative to no education). Central and Eastern Europe showed the strongest association (OR for high vs. low education 0.37; 95% CI 0.33-0.40; p<0.001) and Scandinavia the weakest (OR for high vs. low education 0.69; 95% CI 0.60-0.80; p<0.001). The association was strongest among younger individuals. There was a sex and education interaction only within Central and Eastern Europe. Level of EA is reflected in later-life depressive symptoms, suggesting that supporting individuals in achieving EA, and considering those with lower EA at increased risk for depression, could lead to decreased burden of depression across the life course. Further educational support in Central and Eastern Europe may decrease the higher burden of depressive symptoms in women.

Personal Construct Therapy vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Depression in Women with Fibromyalgia: Study Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a debilitating syndrome, more prevalent in women, which is aggravated by the presence of depressive symptoms. In the last decade, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has demonstrated to reduce such depressive symptoms and pain in these patients, but there are still a considerable number of them who do not respond to interventions. The complexity of the disorder requires the consideration of the unique psychological characteristics of each patient to attain good outcomes. One approach that could accomplish this goal might be personal construct therapy (PCT), an idiographic approach that considers identity features and interpersonal meanings as their main target of intervention. Then, the aim of the study is to test the efficacy of PCT as compared to a well-established treatment in the reduction of depressive symptoms in women with fibromyalgia.Methods and AnalysisThis is a multicenter randomized controlled trial. In each condition participants will attend up to eighteen 1-hr weekly therapy sessions and up to three 1-hr booster sessions during the following 3–5 months after the end of treatment. The depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) will be the primary outcome measure and it will be assessed at baseline, at the end of therapy, and at 6-month follow-up. Other secondary measures will be applied following the same schedule. Participants will be 18- to 70-years-old women with a diagnosis of FM, presenting depressive symptoms evinced by scores above seven in depression items of the HADS-D. Intention-to-treat and complete case analyses will be performed for the main statistical tests. Linear mixed models will be used to analyze and to compare the treatment effects of both conditions.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02711020.

Anxiety, Prenatal Attachment, and Depressive Symptoms in Women with Diabetes in Pregnancy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anxiety, prenatal attachment, and depressive symptoms among women with diabetes in pregnancy. Participants were 131 consecutive pregnant women between the ages of 20 and 45 with a diagnosis of gestational or pregestational type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Data on previous psychiatric symptoms were obtained from the Anamnestic and Social Questionnaire and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Information on prenatal attachment was collected using The Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), and The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) assessed depressive symptoms in the third trimester of pregnancy (at a mean of 25 weeks). Results demonstrated that in women affected by diabetes in pregnancy, two facets of prenatal attachment (anticipation, interaction) were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms, and a history of anxiety, assessed with the MINI, moderated the relation between the prenatal attachment interaction factor and depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

Depressive Symptoms Associated with Low Quality of Life Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women Living with HIV in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Background or Objectives:Women living with HIV (WLHIV) are at increased risk of depression. In pregnancy, depression could affect health and pregnancy outcomes, as well as child rearing. We assessed depressive symptoms and quality of life of WLHIV during the perinatal period.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at 15 hospitals in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF_THAI) were used to screen for depressive symptoms and to assess quality of life (QOL), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS. Descriptive statistics were reported. Factors associated with depressive symptoms were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine association between depressive symptom scores and QOL. Regression coefficient (b) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results:One hundred WLHIV were enrolled and the mean age was 29.2 ±7.5 years. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30 (30%), 95% CI 21-39; specifically, 34 (34%) in pregnant and 27 (27%) in postpartum women. Overall, depressive symptoms were mild in 22 (22%), moderate in 7 (7%), and moderately severe in one (1%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that verbal abuse by partner (b=4.751 (95% CI=2.306-9.790), p< 0.001) and lifetime alcohol use (b=3.403 (95% CI=1.427-8.115), p=0.006) were associated with depressive symptoms. The overall perception of own health and quality of life of WLHIV in all domains were lower than that of HIV-negative women. WLHIV with depressive symptoms had a significantly lower QOL than those without.Conclusion and Global Health Implications:In this study, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in women living with HIV was similar to that in HIV-negative women. WLHIV with depressive symptoms had a significantly lower QOL than those without. Mental health screening in antenatal and postpartum clinic is warranted.

Sociocultural stressors across the perinatal period and risk for postpartum depressive symptoms in women of Mexican descent.

In the United States, women of Mexican descent are affected by postpartum depression at disproportionate rates, often two to three times higher than the general population. Sociocultural stressors may contribute to this disparity. Traditionally, these stressors are measured at a single time point, and it is unknown if sociocultural stressors change from pregnancy to the postnatal period and if they are related to postpartum depressive symptoms. Pregnant women of Mexican descent (N = 159) were assessed for acculturation (Mexican and Anglo orientation), perceived discrimination, acculturative stress, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms during the first trimester and postpartum period. Women reported increases in Mexican orientation, t(126) = -3.503, p = .01, and decreases in acculturative stress, t(159) = -3.503, p < .001, and perceived stress, t(159) = 6.332, p < .001, from pregnancy to postpartum. Only increases in Mexican orientation were associated with less postpartum depressive symptoms (R² = 0.050, B = -2.210, SE = 0.996, t = -2.120, p = .028), even when controlling for covariates. In addition, postnatal measurements of elevated acculturative stress and less Mexican orientation (R² = 0.127, B = 0.133, SE = 0.036, t = 3.721, p < .001; B = -2.194, SE = 0.769, t = -2.853, p < .001, respectively) were associated with more postpartum depressive symptoms; however, only Mexican orientation remained significant after covariates. Sociocultural stressors change across the perinatal period and contribute to postpartum depressive symptoms. Findings implicate a need for consideration of sociocultural stressors in postpartum depression prevention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Childhood Abuse and Positive and Negative Relationship Quality in Women: The Role of Depression

Abstract The interpersonal nature of childhood abuse has led researchers to examine how abuse in childhood is associated with the quality of adult women's romantic relationships. Depression is one pathway by which childhood abuse may be associated with relationship quality. The current study considers whether childhood abuse is linked to positive and negative relationship quality through depressive symptoms. Data were obtained from women participating in the Longitudinal Study of Childhood Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN; N = 544) and were analysed using structural equation modelling. Results indicate a significant indirect effect from childhood abuse to both positive and negative quality through women's depressive symptoms. The indirect effect from abuse to negative relationship quality through depression was significantly larger than positive relationship quality. These results suggest that childhood abuse and subsequent depressive symptoms has a twofold effect on women's romantic relationships.