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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Mood Disorders | Research article

Family function fully mediates the relationship between social support and perinatal depression in rural Southwest China

Authors: Yilin Huang, Yan Liu, Yu Wang, Danping Liu

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Perinatal depression is the most common complication of gestation and childbearing affecting women and their families, and good social support and family function are considered protective and modifiable factors. This study aimed to investigate depression status and explore inter-relationships between social support and perinatal depression considering the influence of family function in rural areas of Southwest China.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. The following instruments were used: the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, the APGAR Family Care Index Scale, and the Social Support Rate Scale. A structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesis relationships among the variables.

Results

A total of 490 rural antenatal (N = 249) and postpartum (N = 241) women (mean age (standard deviation), 28.17 ± 5.12) participated. We found that the prevalence of depression symptoms was 10.4%. Path analysis showed that family function had a direct negative correlation with depression (β = − 0.251, 95%CI: − 0.382 to − 0.118). Social support had a direct positive correlation with family function (β =0.293, 95%CI: 0.147 to 0.434) and had an indirect negative correlation with depression (β = − 0.074, 95%CI: − 0.139 to − 0.032), family function fully mediated the relationship between social support and depression.

Conclusions

Findings of this study highlight that family function should be considered as the key target for interventions aiming to lower the prevalence of perinatal depression. Family members interventions are critical to reduce depression among antenatal and postpartum women.

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Title: Family function fully mediates the relationship between social support and perinatal depression in rural Southwest China
Authors: Yilin Huang
Yan Liu
Yu Wang
Danping Liu
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression
Affective Disorder
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03155-9

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Family function fully mediates the relationship between social support and perinatal depression in rural Southwest China

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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