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04-12-2023 | Original Article

Changes in maternal psychological symptom profiles from 2 to 6 months postpartum: an application of latent transition analysis

Authors: Jihye Kim Scroggins, Debra Brandon, Karin Reuter-Rice, Se Hee Min, Qing Yang

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 2/2024

Abstract

To identify subgroups of postpartum women with different psychological symptom profiles at 2 and 6 months postpartum and to examine how they transition between symptom profiles over time using latent transition analysis (LTA). We used secondary data from the Family Life Project (N = 1,117) and performed LTA based on observed variables (depression, anxiety, somatization, and hostility). We examined transition probabilities and changes in latent status prevalence from 2 to 6 months postpartum. Considering the known influences of social determinants of health on psychological symptoms, bivariate analyses were conducted to describe the characteristics of different transition patterns. A 3-class model with better fit indices, entropy, and interpretability was selected. Based on symptom severity, the identified profiles were Profile 1: Low, Profile 2: Moderate, and Profile 3: High. From 2 to 6 months postpartum, the prevalence of low symptom profile decreased (82 to 78.2%) while the prevalence increased for moderate (15.8 to 17.5%) and high symptom profiles (2.2 to 4.4%). For all profiles, it was most likely for postpartum women to stay in the same profile from 2 to 6 months (low to low, moderate to moderate, and high to high). Those in persistent or worsening transition patterns were significantly younger or had less social support or education. Postpartum women in moderate or high symptom profiles at 2 months were most likely to stay in the same profile at 6 months postpartum, indicating persistent symptom burden. Clinicians should consider providing early, targeted support to prevent persistent symptom burden.

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Title: Changes in maternal psychological symptom profiles from 2 to 6 months postpartum: an application of latent transition analysis
Authors: Jihye Kim Scroggins
Debra Brandon
Karin Reuter-Rice
Se Hee Min
Qing Yang
Publication date: 04-12-2023
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 2/2024
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01407-z

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Changes in maternal psychological symptom profiles from 2 to 6 months postpartum: an application of latent transition analysis

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