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The relationship between parental mentalization and maternal psychopathology : during and after postpartum period

Aims: This review aimed to evaluate the literature that examines factors (maternal age, ethnicity, antenatal depressive symptoms and support) in relation to Postpartum Depressive (PPD) symptomatology in adolescent mothers. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using databases PsychINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Maternity and Infant Care. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 17 studies were identified as suitable for this review. Results: Results showed antenatal depressive (AND) symptoms and support to be associated with PPD symptoms, but not maternal age or ethnicity. Studies highlighted parental competence and conflict as potentially accounting for the relationship between support and PPD symptoms. Contributing factors to this relationship were relationship status, living arrangement, antenatal expectation and socioeconomic status. Due to most studies being part of a larger project, a broad range of other variables were measured often with limited rationale for their inclusion. Conclusion: The current literature indicates AND symptoms and support are related to PPD symptoms. However, there remains a lack of specificity to these relationships. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of the interaction between the relevant factors involved.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:639562
Date January 2014
CreatorsWong, V. W. C.
ContributorsFonagy, Peter
PublisherUniversity College London (University of London)
Source SetsEthos UK
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Sourcehttp://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1450780/

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