Protective Factors against Prenatal Depression in Pregnant Women

This study explored protective factors against prenatal depression in pregnant women. One-hundred thirty-four pregnant women were recruited from an obstetric clinic and public health center in Korea. Dyadic adjustment, sense of mastery, and prenatal depression were assessed using structured questionnaires. Prenatal depression was assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS). Binomial logistic analysis was used to identify predictors of prenatal depression. Of the participants, 40.3% screened as positive on the EPDS with a cut-off point of 9/10. Protective factors against prenatal depression were a history of childbirth, dyadic adjustment, and sense of mastery. We must consider these findings when developing interventions for pregnant women focusing on prevention and management of prenatal depression.