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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Affective Disorder | Research article

Parental divorce in childhood does not independently predict maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy

Authors: Elviira Porthan, Matti Lindberg, Eeva Ekholm, Noora M. Scheinin, Linnea Karlsson, Hasse Karlsson, Juho Härkönen

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

This study sought to investigate if parental divorce in childhood increases the risk for depressive symptoms in pregnancy.

Methods

Women were recruited during their ultrasound screening in gestational week (gwk) 12. The final study sample consisted of 2,899 pregnant women. Questionnaires (including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) were completed at three measurement points (gwk 14, 24 and 34). Prenatal depressive symptoms were defined as Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score ≥ 13. Parental divorce and other stressful life events in childhood were assessed at gwk 14. Parental divorce was defined as separation of parents who were married or cohabiting. Questionnaire data was supplemented with data from Statistics Finland and the Finnish Medical Birth Register.

Results

Parental divorce in childhood increased the risk for depressive symptoms during pregnancy (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.02–2.13), but the connection was no longer significant after adjusting for socioeconomic status, family conflicts and witnessing domestic violence in the childhood family (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.54–1.18).

Conclusions

Parental divorce alone does not predict depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

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Title: Parental divorce in childhood does not independently predict maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy
Authors: Elviira Porthan
Matti Lindberg
Eeva Ekholm
Noora M. Scheinin
Linnea Karlsson
Hasse Karlsson
Juho Härkönen
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Affective Disorder
Affective Disorder
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03227-w

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Parental divorce in childhood does not independently predict maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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