Social support, conflict and perinatal depression

© 2010 Dr. Alice A. ForwoodLow social support is a confirmed risk factor for perinatal depression. However, much research on social support and perinatal depression is not informed by theoretical work on social support and lacks awareness of the distinction between perceived social support and received social support. This has resulted in a lack of clarity regarding the specific aspects of social support that are important for perinatal depression. The research reported in this thesis aimed to identify the specific aspects of perceived social support, received social support and relationship conflict that are associated with perinatal depression and aimed to develop understanding of how these associations should be interpreted. One hundred and sixty-five women, who were receiving antenatal care at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, completed three questionnaires: one in their third trimester and two in the postpartum (six weeks and six months). Extensive data was gathered on the perceived social support, the received social support and the conflict women experienced in their relationships with their social network and with their partner and parents. Depressive symptomatology was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The research demonstrated that the association between social relationships and perinatal depression is complex. The research found that perceived social support and received social support are independently associated with perinatal depression in different ways at different measurement points. It found that conflict is important for antenatal depression but social support is important in the postpartum. The research further showed that the sources and types of support most important for perinatal depression vary according to time in the perinatal period being examined