Effects of family factors on the risk of maternal and paternal depressive symptoms during perinatal period: A pairwise analysis

Abstract

Background: Childbirth is a major transition for both parents. However, few studies have examined the pairwise role of family function in both parents simultaneously. Objective: This study aimed to explore the interconnected effects of family function on maternal perinatal depressive symptoms (MPDS) and paternal perinatal depressive symptoms (PPDS) from the perspectives of both parents. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a large tertiary hospital. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was applied for MPDS and PPDS screening, and the APGAR scale was adopted to evaluate family function. The actor and partner effects of maternal and paternal family function on the risk of MPDS and PPDS were examined using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). Multivariate logistic regression was additionally performed to explore the associations between family function and parental perinatal depressive symptoms. Results: In total, 715 couples were included in this study, and the prevalence of MPDS and PPDS were 24.90% and 14.55%, respectively. Significant actor effects were observed for both mothers (β=0.11, p=0.03) and fathers (β=0.19, p<0.001), and partner effects of maternal family function significantly predicted PPDS (β=0.10, p=0.048). Elevated risk of parental perinatal depressive symptoms was associated with poor or fair maternal family function (OR=2.41, 95% CI: 1.16–4.99) and paternal family function (OR=2.59, 95% CI: 1.41–4.77). Conclusion: The high prevalence rates of MPDS and PPDS underscore the importance of parental depressive symptoms screening. Intervention strategies targeted at family function should be adopted for the management of MPDS and PPDS.