Relationship between Marital Satisfaction during Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Postpartum depression is a serious disorder that has serious and long - lasting effects on mother and her family. Identifying the risk factors is essential in order to provide proper prevention. Considering little information in this regard in Iran, this research was conducted to determine the relationship between marital satisfaction during pregnancy and postpartum depression. In this longitudinal co relational study, 100 pregnant women between 37-42 weeks of pregnancy without depression who referred to health center in Astara city in 2006, were sampled. Information about marital satisfaction was gathered during pregnancy using marital satisfaction Questionnaire. Postpartum depression was assessed by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale at 15th and 30th days postpartum. Data was analyzed using Chi-square, Man-Whitney, T-student test and General linear model, using SPSS11.5 software. Marital satisfaction during the last month of pregnancy was in a negative correlation with postpartum. Mean of marital satisfaction score demonstrated significant statistical difference in depressed and not depressed groups. Marital satisfaction is a predisposing factor of postpartum depression. Assessing pregnant women’s marital satisfaction and providing proper interventions during pregnancy is suggested to reduce the rate of postpartum depression.