Are highly educated gravida more likely to be depressed?——Exploring the causal relationship between educational attainment and postpartum depression: Evidence based on a two sample Mendelian Randomization approach

Postpartum depression (PPD) refers to a psychiatric disorders that afflicts women subsequent to childbirth, which represents a substantial global health concern with a prevalence that demands attention. Therefore, it is important to address this condition to reduce the disease and economic burden it causes. However, the pathogenesis of postpartum depression (PPD) remains unclear. Recent studies have suggested that educational attainment may play a role, indicating a need for further exploration. To elucidate this potential link, this study employs a two-sample Mendelian Randomization (TSMR) analysis, leveraging years of schooling (YOS) as a proxy variable, to rigorously investigate the causal relationship between educational attainment and the onset of postpartum depression. MR analyses performed by the IVW method indicated that educational attainment may has a negative causal effect on postpartum depression (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.45–0.61, P=2.78e-18) in the European population. The results of the MR analyses suggest that a higher level of education is a protective factor for postpartum depression. Therefore, advocating for the equitable dissemination of education and enhancing women's educational attainment becomes imperative to safeguard their physical and mental health.