Emotional Processing in Childbirth (EPiC) Study. A longitudinal study exploring the relationship between how women manage their emotions and the development of postnatal depression

Authors: Wilkins, C.

Conference: International Confederation of Midwives 30th Triennial Congress

Dates: 1-5 June 2014

Abstract:

International research constantly seeks to identify risk factors for postnatal depression and predictors for women at risk. One potential factor, largely unexplored, is how the management of the complex range of emotions experienced by women during childbirth impacts on psychological health. If processed inappropriately emotions evoked by stressful events such as childbirth will intrude on the maintenance of everyday behaviour. Aim: This ethically approved study used the Emotional Processing Scale (EPS) to explore relationships between emotional processing (EP) during the life-changing events of pregnancy and birth and the emergence of postnatal depression, exploring the predictive value of the EPS in identifying postnatal depression.

Method: Between November 2007 and February 2009 a cohort of 974 women, aged 16 to 44, from Southern England were surveyed at 13 and 34 weeks gestation and 6 weeks postpartum. Standardised measures included the EPS, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Short-Form 36 and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Data were analysed using univariate and multivariate techniques to investigate inter-relationships between variables. Multiple and logistic regression models determined which variables measured during pregnancy best predicted postnatal depression.

Key Findings: Strong associations were found between poor EP and the likelihood of developing postnatal depression. After adjusting for other established risk factors for depression, poor EP in early and late pregnancy made a strong unique contribution to the prediction of postnatal depression with the odds of women with a high EPS scores at both time-points developing depression postpartum being 2.5 and 3.4 times greater than women with low EPS scores. Implications: The EPS, validated in many countries, provides professionals internationally with a valuable tool to identify poor EP. Used antenatally it will facilitate midwives to develop strategies for effective emotions management that will benefit families who are vulnerable to the detrimental impact of maternal emotional and psychological disturbances.

Source: Manual

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