The role of lack of grandparental support in perinatal depression

Madelon M.E. Riem; Kelsey Perrykkad; Stuart J. Watson; Karen Wynter; Marinus H. van IJzendoorn; Megan Galbally

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.104

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The role of lack of grandparental support in perinatal depression

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The role of lack of grandparental support in perinatal depression

Madelon M.E. Riem, Kelsey Perrykkad, Stuart J. Watson, Karen Wynter, Marinus H. van IJzendoorn and Megan Galbally

Journal of affective disorders, Vol.360(1), pp.198-205

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.104

PMID: 38788855

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Abstract

Grandparents

Parenting stress

Perinatal depression

Perinatal health

Social support

Background Low social support has been identified as a risk factor for perinatal mental health problems. However, previous studies mainly focused on partner support or general social support and neglected the roles of grandparents. Here, we examine whether a lack of grandparental support is related to increased risk of a diagnosis of perinatal depression. In addition, we examine whether poor grandparental support is related to more depressive symptoms in mothers with and without previously diagnosed perinatal depression and whether perceived grandparental support buffers against parenting difficulties in mothers with perinatal depression. Methods The sample was drawn from an Australian pregnancy cohort study and consisted of 725 women, including 230 women who met criteria for Major Depression. At 12 months postpartum, women reported on grandparental geographical proximity and hours of grandparental childcare support. Perceived grandparental support was assessed with the Postpartum Social Support Questionnaire and parenting difficulties and depressive symptoms with the Parenting Stress Index and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Results Perceived grandparental support was related to fewer depressive symptoms among mothers with perinatal depression. In addition, higher levels of perceived grandparental support were related to lower parenting stress in mothers with and without perinatal depression. Limitations Intergenerational conflicts and quality of grandparenting were not assessed. Conclusions Our findings indicate that supportive grandparents may prevent the development of more severe perinatal depression in mothers experiencing perinatal mental health problems. Future studies should examine whether involving grandparents in treatment may add to the effectiveness of existing perinatal mental health interventions.

Details

Title: The role of lack of grandparental support in perinatal depression
Authors/Creators: Madelon M.E. Riem - Radboud University Nijmegen
Kelsey Perrykkad - Monash University
Stuart J. Watson - Murdoch University
Karen Wynter - Monash University
Marinus H. van IJzendoorn - Monash University
Megan Galbally - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Journal of affective disorders, Vol.360(1), pp.198-205
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Identifiers: 991005668145907891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.72 Obstetrics & Gynecology; 1.72.1072 Perinatal Mental Health
Web Of Science research areas: Clinical Neurology; Psychiatry
ESI research areas: Psychiatry/Psychology