Influence of stressful life events in postpartum mothers on the incidence of postpartum depression

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to explore and document the influence of the stressful life events experienced by postpartum mothers on the incidence of postpartum depression. A systematic review of literature was performed to examine prior research. All major databases including Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science were used. The search is limited to publications from 2018-2023. The results illustrate the diversity of stressful events which include the experience of miscarriage, labour complications, or sudden changes in the baby's health condition. Thematic analysis revealed that these events played significant roles in triggering or exacerbating postpartum depression, amplifying the emotional complexity and psychological well-being of postpartum mothers. We conclude that there is a need for approaches for designing psychological interventions that can provide timely and contextualized support to postpartum women who experience stressful life events.