Postpartum Depressive Symptomatology in New Mothers and Fathers: Parenting, Work, and Support

Control and social gratification at work and in other social roles have been shown to be predictive of depression in general adult populations, yet the potential importance of these factors in the postpartum period has not been explored. This study examines the influence of self-reported social gratification, support, and control at work and in the parenting role on depressive symptomatology for both men and women in the postpartum period. A model including perceptions of control, social gratification, and support in these two life domains is tested at 6 months postpartum in a sample of 108 first-time parents. When this model is compared to a parallel model using information obtained 6 months before the birth, strong support for the increased significance of these variables in the postpartum period is found. The need to include work and role-related variables in a comprehensive stress-diathesis model of postpartum depression for both men and women is discussed.