Psychosocial study of depression in early pregnancy

Background. The psychosocial correlates of depression during pregnancy were explored. Method. Pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of a general hospital (n=1329) received a set of questionnaires including Zung's Self-Rating Depression Score (SDS). SDS high scorers (>49) (the cases: n=179) were compared with low scorers (<38) (the controls; n=343). Results. The cases were characterised by: first delivery; more nausea, vomiting, and anorexia; more menstrual gains and premenstrual irritability; early paternal loss; lower maternal care and higher paternal overprotection; higher public self-consciousness score; more smoking and use of medication in pregnancy; unwanted pregnancy; negative psychological response to the pregnancy by the woman and husband; poor intimacy by the husband; and having remarried. Conclusions. Depression in early pregnancy is determined mainly by psychosocial factors.