Abstract:
Depression has been documented as an important determinant of poor
outcomes for adolescent mothers and their children. Low self-esteem and lack of
social support are indicated as risks of depression. In Thailand, research on
depression among adolescent mothers is still limited, particularly on the potential
impact of antepartum depression on the prediction of postpartum depression. This
prospective study aimed to test the structural equation model of maternal depression
and to determine whether and how self-esteem, social support and antepartum
depression influence postpartum depression among Thai adolescent mothers.
A multi-stage random sampling method was used to obtain 340 pregnant
adolescents from four hospitals in Bangkok metropolis. Pregnant adolescents
completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Rosenberg’s
Self-Esteem Scales, and the Inventory of Social Support Behaviors Questionnaire
during the third trimester of pregnancy and at six weeks postpartum.
The results revealed that the model fit the data well (χ2 = 34.82, df = 67,
p-value = .9996, RMSEA = .000 GFI = .99, and AGFI = .97) and 84% of variance
was accounted for, by five variables, in postpartum depression. This best-fit model
showed that at each time point, self-esteem and social support had significantly
negative direct influence on antepartum depression and on postpartum depression.
Antepartum depression had a significantly positive direct influence on postpartum
depression (β = .73, p < .001). In addition, 89.37% of adolescent mothers who
experienced antepartum depression also experienced postpartum depression.
Antepartum self-esteem and antepartum social support had significant direct and
indirect influence on postpartum depression (p < .01).
The results of this study indicate that early detect antepartum depression may
help adolescent mothers to decrease risks for postpartum depression. Enhancing the
adolescent mothers’ self-esteem and providing them with social support can help
decrease maternal depression.