Postpartum affect and depressive symptoms in mothers and fathers.

Prepartum coping, stress, and affect significantly predicted postpartum affect, and more than one-fourth of both mothers and fathers reported elevated depressive symptoms, which correlated significantly between parents.

Abstract

In a study of the postpartum affective experiences of couples, mothers and fathers completed questionnaires on coping, marital satisfaction, stress, positive and negative affect, and depression one month pre- and then one month postpartum. More than one-fourth of both mothers and fathers reported elevated depressive symptoms, which correlated significantly between parents. Prepartum coping, stress, and affect significantly predicted postpartum affect. Research and clinical applications of the findings are discussed.